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THE 



CHRISTIAN MINISTRY; 



OR 



EXCITEMENT AND DIRECTION 



MINISTERIAL DUTIES, 



EXTRACTED FROM VARIOUS AUTHORS. 



By WILLIAM INNES ? 

MI*lSTEEOF THE GOSPEL, 



EDINBURGH: 
PRINTED FOR WAUGH AND INNES; 

M. OGLE, GLASGOW ; R. M. TIMS, DUBLIN ; JAMES DUNCAN, 
JAMES NISBET, AND FRANCIS WESTLEY, LONDON. 



M.DCCC.XXIV, 



/VOG S 






EXCHANGE 
si IV. Of WESTERN ONT. LiQR 
SEFT 24, 1936 



miN'TED BY A. BALFOUR AND CO. 



z 

i 



CONTENTS, 



■ 






Page 


REV. RICHARD BAXTER 






1 


REV. DR. ISAAC WATTS . 






91 


REV. JOSEPH ALLEINE . 






161 


REV. DR. WITHERSPOON 






175 


REV. DR. ERSKINE 






199 


' *• 1" 


i i iv •« 


V ~ 




REV. HENRY MARTYN 


M » 


- 


235 


REV. DAVID BRAINERD iW« 


. *-. 


•» 


279 


REV. RICHARD CECIL 






297 


REV. ROBERT HALL 






323 


APPENDIX 






345 



PREFACE 



My design in selecting and arranging the 
following Extracts may be very shortly ex- 
pressed. It has been to furnish a volume 

AS FULL OF USEFUL MATTER AS POSSIBLE I— 
A VOLUME WHICH MAY LIE WITH ADVANTAGE 
ON THE TABLE OF EVERY MINISTER OF THE 
GOSPEL, AND INTO WHICH HE CANNOT EVEN 
OCCASIONALLY LOOK WITHOUT FINDING SOME 
USEFUL HINT, EITHER IN THE WAY OF DIREC- 
TION OR EXCITEMENT IN THE IMPORTANT 
WORK IN WHICH HE IS ENGAGED. 

The plan of such a work was suggested 
to me some time ago by an aged and vene- 
rable servant of Christ, who considered such 
a yolume rather a desideratum in a Minister's 



1V PREFACE. 

library. Since I began to print these Se- 
lections, I have heard of some other publica- 
tions of a similar nature, but not having 
seen them I do not know how far they coin- 
cide with that now presented to the reader. 
Many of the Extracts, however, which ap- 
pear in the following pages, and these not 
the least valuable, must be different from 
what the compilations referred to, contain, as 
they were published before some of the au- 
thors whose names are found in this volume 
were known. 

There are indeed two small publications 
which I have read with much pleasure, ad- 
dressed to Students of Theology and young 
Ministers, written by my esteemed friend, 
the Rev. Henry Foster Burder. The one is 
entitled " Mental Discipline, or Hints on the 
Cultivation of Intellectual Habits ;" and 
the other — " Mental Discipline, or Hints 
on the Cultivation of Moral Habits." Both 
of these I have great satisfaction in re- 
commending to the careful perusal of every 



PREFACE. v 

Minister of the Gospel ; they are replete 
with useful reflection, the result of much ac- 
curate observation, and stated in a very con- 
densed, yet very perspicuous manner. These 
volumes, however, though containing seve- 
ral quotations, are original works, and by 
no means a professed compilation like that 
which the following pages contain. 

The slightest glance at the names of those 
authors from whose writings the following 
Selections are taken, must convince every 
one how much their observations are en- 
titled to the serious regard of all who are 
engaged in the arduous and important work 
of the Christian Ministry. This volume, it 
is conceived, will be found particularly use- 
ful to those who are only entering on this 
service, and who thus need direction in the 
discharge of the duties of it. But let it 
not be supposed it is fitted to be of use to 
them alone. Even the Minister whose know- 
ledge is most extensive and whose observa- 
tion is most matured, must be sensible that 



vi PREFACE. 

if he does not need direction in duty, he 
constantly requires excitement to the vigo- 
rous and persevering discharge of it. Con- 
siderations then which are calculated to fur- 
nish such an excitement in a service, the full 
importance of which we can never complete- 
ly estimate while on earth, but which can on- 
ly be known when seen in the light of eter- 
nity, must at all times be highly valuable ; 
and such considerations I hesitate not to 
say, the following Extracts abundantly pre- 
sent. 

I shall only here add, that while the 
course of reading I have pursued in collect- 
ing the materials of this publication has fur- 
nished me with many more than could be 
inserted ; if it shall appear that these are 
generally acceptable, I may afterwards add 
another volume of Extracts not less interest- 
ing than those which are here introduced. 

WILLIAM INNES. 

EDINBURGH,, 

ISth August 1824. 



EXTRACTS 



RICHARD BAXTER. 



The first extracts, here introduced, are taken 
from Baxter's Gildas Salvianus, or Reformed 
Pastor. In selecting these, I have preferred the 
original work to any abridgment of it, as there is 
a vigour and raciness in this author's own lan- 
guage, even amidst all the negligences that occur 
in it, which, to most readers, will be far more ac- 
ceptable than if it should be in any considerable 
degree changed, and the same sentiments should 
be clothed in a more modern dress. The only 
alterations I have ventured to make, are the occa- 
sional change of an antiquated word, which may 
either be now obsolete, or the signification of which 
may be now different ; and sometimes a transpo- 
sition of a word or clause, to render the author's 
meaning more obvious. But no such alteration, 

B 



2 RICHARD BAXTER. 

I trust, will be found as shall tend in any mea- 
sure to take off the point of Mr. Baxter's own 
powerful and impressive style. 

Though it would indicate a high degree of pre- 
sumption to recommend such a writer as Richard 
Baxter, yet I cannot forbear embracing the oppor- 
tunity of prefacing these extracts with the following 
very just and eloquent account of this author, as 
well as others of his day, which has just appeared 
in a preface to a new edition of the Saints' Rest, 
from the pen of Thomas Erskine, Esq.* Speaking 
of Baxter, and other writers of the same period, he 
remarks, — " They speak with the solemn dignity 
of martyrs. They seem to feel the importance of 
their theme, and the perpetual presence of him 
who is the great subject of it. There are only 
two things they seem to consider as realities, — 
the favour of God, and the enmity of God ; and 
only two parties in the universe to choose be- 
tween, — the party of God, and the party of his 
adversaries. Hence that noble and heroic tone 
which marks their lives and their writings. They 
had chosen their side, and they knew it was wor- 
thy of all they could do or suffer for it. 

" They were born in the midst of conflicts, ci- 
vil and religious ; and as they grew up, their ears 
heard no other sounds than those of defiance and 
controversy. Thus life was to them, in fact and 

* Author of " Remarks on the Internal Evidence of Revealed 
Religion," and " An Essay on Faith." 



RICHARD BAXTER. S 

reality, that warfare which is to many of us only 
its rhetorical emblem. The agitated state of sur- 
rounding circumstances gave them continual proof 
of the instability of all things temporal, and in- 
culcated on them the necessity of seeking a hap- 
piness which might be independent of external 
things. They thus practically learned the vanity 
and the nothingness of life, except in its relation 
to eternity; and they declared to their fellow- 
creatures the mysteries of the kingdom of God 
with the tone of men who knew that the lightest 
word they spoke outweighed, in the balance of 
reason as well as of the sanctuary, the value of 
all earth's plans and politics and interests. They 
were upon high and firm ground. They stood 
in the midst of that tempestuous ocean, secure on 
the Rock of Ages ; and as they uttered to those 
around them their invitations, or remonstrances, 
or consolations, they thought not of the tastes, 
but of the necessities of men — they thought only 
of the difference of being lost and being saved, 

and they cried aloud and spared not." 

The text Mr. Baxter has chosen, as the ground 
of his observations, in that very arousing work 
from which our first quotations are selected, 
is Acts xx. 28. " Take heed, therefore, to your- 
selves, and to all the flock over which the Holy 
Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the 
church of God which he hath purchased with his 
own blood." Under the first clause, his first ob- 
servations relate to 



RICHARD BAXTER. 



THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL RELIGION OF 

MINISTERIAL GIFTS AND OF A CONSISTENT 

EXAMPLE. 

" Take heed to yourselves lest you should be 
void of that saving grace of God which you offer 
to others, and be strangers to the effectual work- 
ings of that gospel which you preach, and lest 
while you proclaim the necessity of a Saviour to 
the world, your own hearts should neglect him, 
and you should miss an interest in him, and his 
saving benefits. Take heed to yourselves lest 
you perish while you call upon others to take 
heed of perishing, and lest you famish yourselves 
while you prepare their food. Many a man hath 
warned others that they come not to that place 
of torment which they yet hasted to themselves. 
Many a preacher is now in misery that hath an 
hundred times called upon their hearers to use 
their utmost care and diligence to escape it. Can 
any reasonable man imagine that God should 
save men for offering salvation to others, while 
they refused it themselves ; and for telling others 
those truths which they neglected and abused? 
Believe it, brethren ; God never saved any man 
for being a preacher, nor because he was an able 
preacher, but because he was a justified and sanc- 
tified man, and consequently faithful in his mas- 
ter's work. Take heed, therefore, to yourselves 
first, that you be that which you persuade your 
hearers to be, and believe that which you per- 



PERSONAL RELIGION. 5 

suade them daily to believe; and have heartily 
entertained that Christ, and that Spirit, which 
you offer to others. 

" Again, take heed to yourselves lest you live 
in those actual sins which you preach against in 
others, and lest you be guilty of that which you 
daily condemn. Will you make it your work to 
magnify God, and when you have done, disho- 
nour him as much as others ? Will you proclaim 
Christ's governing power, and yet contemn it, and 
rebel yourselves ? Will you preach his laws, and 
wilfully break them ? If sin be evil, why do you 
live in it ? If it be not, why do you dissuade men 
from it ? If it be dangerous, how dare you ven- 
ture on it ? If it be not, why do you tell men it 
is so? If God's threatenings be true, why do 
you not fear them ? If they be false, why do you 
trouble men needlessly with them, and put them 
into such frights without a cause ? Do you know 
the judgment of God, that they that commit such 
things are worthy of death, and yet will you do 
them ? Rom. i. 32. Thou that teachest another, 
teachest thou not thyself? Thou that sayest a 
man should not commit adultery, or be drunk, or 
covetous, art thou such thyself? Thou that mak- 
est thy boast of the law, through breaking the 
law, dishonourest thou God? Rom. ii. 21 — 23. 
What ! shall the same tongue speak evil that 
speaketh against evil? Shall it censure, and 
slander, and secretly backbite, that cries down 



6 RICHARD BAXTER. 

these, and the like in others? Take heed to 
yourselves, lest you cry down sin, and not over- 
come it; lest, while you seek to bring it down in 
others, you bow to it, and become its slaves your- 
selves ; " for of whom a man is overcome, of the 
same is he brought in bondage," 2 Pet. ii. 19. 
" To whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, 
his servants ye are to whom ye obey ; whether of 
sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteous- 
ness," Rom. vi. 16. It is easier to chide at sin, 
than to overcome it. 

u Take heed also to yourselves that you be not 
unfit for the great employments that you have 
undertaken. He must not be himself a babe in 
knowledge that will teach men all those mysteri- 
ous things that are to be known in order to sal- 
vation. Oh ! what qualifications are necessary 
for that man that hath such a charge upon him 
as we have ! How many difficulties in divinity 
to be opened; yea, about the very fundamental 
truths that must needs be known ! How many 
obscure texts of Scripture to be expounded ! 
How many duties to be done, wherein ourselves 
or others may miscarry, if, in the matter, and 
end, and manner, and circumstances, they be not 
well informed ! How many sins to be avoided, 
which, without understanding and foresight, can- 
not be done ! How many sly and subtle tempta- 
tions must we open to our people's eyes, that 
they may escape them ! How many weighty, 



MINISTERIAL GIFTS. 7 

and yet intricate cases of conscience, have we al- 
most daily to resolve ! Can so much work, and 
such work as this, be done by raw unqualified 
men ? O what strong holds have we to batter, 
and how many of them ! What subtle, and dili- 
gent, and obstinate resistance must we expect at 
every heart we deal with ! Prejudice hath block- 
ed up our way ; we can scarcely procure a pa- 
tient hearing. They think ill of what we say 
while we are speaking it. We cannot make a 
breach in their groundless hopes, and carnal 
peace, but they have twenty shifts, and seeming 
reasons to make it up again, and twenty enemies 
that are seeming friends are ready to help them. 
We dispute not with them upon equal terms. — s- 
" We dispute the case against men's wills and 
sensual passions, as much as against their under- 
standings ; and these have neither reason nor 
ears. Their best arguments are, 4 1 will not be- 
lieve you nor all the preachers in the world in 
such things : I will not change my mind or life : 
I will not leave of? my sins : I will never be so 
precise, come of it what will.' We have not one, 
but multitudes of raging passions and contradic- 
tory enemies to dispute against at once, whenever 
we go about the conversion of a sinner ; as if a 
man were to dispute in a fair, or a tumult, or in 
the midst of a violent crowd of scolds. What 
equal dealings and what success were here to be 



8 RICHARD BAXTER. 

expected? Why, such is our work, and yet a 
work that must be done. 

" O, dear brethren ! what men should we be 
in skilful resolution and unwearied diligence, that 
have all this to do ? Did Paul cry, ' Who is suf- 
ficient for these things ?' and shall we be proud, 
or careless, or lazy, as if we were sufficient ? As 
Peter saith to every Christian, in consideration 
of our apparent change, 6 What manner of per- 
sons ought we to be in all holy conversation and 
godliness ?' so may I say to every minister, See- 
ing all these things to lie upon our hands, what 
manner of persons ought we to be in all holy en- 
deavours and resolutions for our work ? This is 
not a burden for the shoulders of a child. What 
skill doth every part of our work require ; and 
of how much moment is every part ? To preach 
a sermon is, I think, not the hardest part; and 
yet what skill is necessary to make plain the truth, 
to convince the hearers, to let in irresistible light 
into their consciences, to keep it there, and to 
drive all home; to screw the truth into their 
minds, and to work Christ into their affections ; 
to meet with every objection that gainsays, and 
clearly to resolve it; to drive sinners to a stand, 
and to make them see that there is no hope, but 
that they must unavoidably be converted or 
condemned : and to do all this so for language 
and manner as becomes our work, and yet as is 
.suitable to the capacities of our hearers : this. 



MINISTERIAL GIFTS. 9 

and a great deal more, that should be done in 
every sermon, should surely be done with a great 
deal of holy zeal. 

" So great a God, whose message we deliver, 
should be honoured by our delivery of it. It is 
a lamentable case, that in a message from the 
God of heaven, of everlasting consequence to the 
souls of men, we should behave ourselves so 
weakly, so unhandsomely, so imprudently, or so 
slightly, that the whole business should miscarry 
in our hands and God be dishonoured, and our 
work disgraced, and sinners rather hardened than 
converted, and all this, much through our weak- 
ness or neglect. How many a time have carnal 
hearers gone away jeering home at the palpable 
and dishonourable failings of the preacher ! How 
many sleep under us, because our hearts are 
sleepy, and we bring not with us so much zeal as 
to awaken them ! 

" Moreover, what skill is necessary to defend 
the truth against gainsayers, and to deal with dis- 
puting cavillers according to their several modes 
and cases? And if we fail through weakness, 
how will they insult ? That is indeed the smallest 
matter ; but who knows how many weak ones may 
be perverted by this success, to their own undo- 
ing, and the trouble of the church ? 

" What skill is necessary to deal with one poor 
ignorant soul for their conversion ? Q, brethren ! 
do you not shrink and tremble under a sense of 



10 RICHARD BAXTER. 

all this work ? Will a common measure of holy 
skill and ability, of prudence and other qualifi- 
cations, serve for such a task as this ? 

" Moreover, take heed to yourselves, lest your 
example contradict your doctrine, and lest you 
lay such stumbling blocks before the blind as may 
be the occasion of their ruin : lest you unsay 
with your lives that which you say with your 
tongues; and this be the greatest hindrance of 
the success of your own labours. It much hin- 
dereth our work when other men are contradicting 
all the week to poor people in private that which we 
have been speaking to them from the Word of 
God in public, because we cannot be at hand to 
manifest their folly. But it will much_more hin- 
der it if we contradict ourselves; and if your 
actions give your tongue the lie, and if you build 
up one hour or two with your mouths, and all 
the time pull down with your hands. This is the 
way to make men think that the word of God is 
but an idle tale, and to make preaching seem no 
better than prating. He that means as he speaks 
will surely do as he speaks. One proud, surly, 
lordly word, one needless contention, one covetous 
action, may cut the throat of many a sermon, and 
blast the fruit of all you have been doing. Tell 
me, brethren in the fear of God, do you regard 
the success of your labours or do you not? Do 
you long to see it upon the souls of your hearers? 
If you do not, what do you preach for ? What 



CONSISTENT EXAMPLE. 11 

do you study for ? and what do you call your- 
selves ministers of Christ for? But if you do, 
then sure you cannot find it in your heart to mar 
your work for a thing of nought. What ! do 
you- regard the success of your labours, and yet 
will you not part with a little to the poor, not put 
up with an injury or a foul word, not stoop to the 
meanest, not forbear your passionate or lordly 
carriage, no, not for the winning of souls, and 
the attaining the end of all your labours ? You 
much regard success indeed that will sell it at 
so cheap a rate, or will not do so small a matter 
to attain it ! 

" It is a palpable error in those ministers that 
make such a disproportion between their preach- 
ing and living, that they should study to preach 
exactly, and study little or not at all to live exactly. 
All the week long is little enough to studv how to 
speak two hours, and yet one hour seems too 
much to study how to live all the week. They 
are loath to misplace a word in their sermons, 
or to be guilty of any notable infirmity, (and I 
blame them not, for the matter is holy and of 
weight,) but they make nothing of misplacing of 
affections, words, and actions, in the course of 
their lives. O ! how cautiously have I heard 
some men preach, and how carelessly have I seen 
them live. 

" Certainly, brethren, we have very great cause 
to take heed what we do as well as what we soy, if 



12 RICHARD BAXTER. 

we will be the servants of Christ. As our people 
must be doers of the word and not hearers only, 
so we must be doers and not speakers only, lest 
we be deceivers of our own selves. A practical 
doctrine must be practically preached. We must 
study as hard how to live well as how to preach 
well. We must think, and think again, how to 
compose our lives as may most tend to men's 
salvation, as well as our sermons. When you 
are studying what to say to them, I know these 
are your thoughts, (or else they are nought and 
to no purpose,) how shall I get within them, or 
what shall I say that is likely most effectually to 
convince them, and to convert them, and to tend 
to their salvation ? And should you not as dili- 
gently bethink yourselves, how shall I live, and 
what shall I say and do, and how shall I dispose 
of all that I have, as may most probably tend to 
the saving of men's souls? Brethren, if saving of 
souls be your end, you will certainly intend it as 
well out of the pulpit as in it. If it be your end 
you will live for it, and contribute all your en- 
deavours to obtain it. And if you do so, you 
will as well ask concerning the money in your 
purse as the words in your mouth: Which way 
shall I lay it out for the greatest good, especially 
to men's souls ? O ! that this were your daily 
study how to use your wealth, your friends, and 
all you have for God, as well as your tongues: 
and then should we see that fruit of your labours 



MOTIVES TO FIDELITY. 13 

which is never else likely to be seen. If you in- 
tend the end of the ministry in the pulpit only, 
then it seems you take yourselves for ministers no 
longer than you are there; and then I think you 
are unworthy to be esteemed such at all." 

The author then subjoins the following reasons 
as motives to attend to the duty above enjoined. 

" Consider you have a heaven to win or lose 
yourselves, and souls that must be happy or 
miserable for ever; and, therefore, it concerneth 
you to begin at home and to take heed to your- 
selves as well as to others. Preaching may well 
succeed to the salvation of others without the 
holiness of your own hearts or lives. It is pos- 
sible, at least, though less usual; but it is impos- 
sible that mere preaching should serve to save 
yourselves. — ' Many shall say in that day, Lord, 
have we not prophesied in thy name ?' Matt. vii. 
22, who shall be answered with — I never knew 
you, depart from me ye that work iniquity. O 
Sirs, how many have preached Christ, and per- 
ished for want of a saving interest in him. How 
many that are now in hell have told their people 
of the torments of hell, and warned them to avoid 
them. How many have preached the wrath of 
God against sinners that are now feeling it. O 
what sadder case can there be in the world than 
for a man that made it his very trade and calling 
to proclaim salvation, and to help others to attain 
it, vet after all to be himself shut out. Alas ! 



14 RICHARD BAXTER. 

that ever we should have so many books in our 
libraries that tell us the way to heaven, that we 
should spend so many years in reading these 
books and studying the doctrine of eternal life, 
and after all this to miss of it. That ever we 
should study and preach so many sermons of sal- 
vation and yet fall short of it; so many sermons 
of damnation and yet fall into it; and all because 
we preached so many sermons of Christ while we 
neglected him — of the spirit while we resisted it 
— of faith while we did not heartily believe — of 
repentance and conversion while we continued in 
the state of flesh and sin, and of a heavenly life 
while we remained carnal and earthly ourselves. 
If we will be divines only in tongue and title, 
and have not the divine image upon our souls, 
nor give up ourselves to the divine honour and 
will, no wonder if we be separated from the di- 
vine presence, and denied the fruition of God 
for ever. 

" Again, take heed to yourselves, for you have 
a depraved nature and sinful inclinations as well 
as others. 

" Take heed to yourselves, because such great 
works as ours do put men on great use and 
trial of their graces, and they have greater tempta- 
tions than many other men. 

" Take heed to yourselves, because the tempter 
will make his sharpest onset upon you. If you 
be the leaders against him, he will spare you no 



MOTIVES TO FIDELITY. 15 

farther than God restraineth him. O what a 
conquest will he think he has got if he can make 
a minister lazy and unfaithful; if he can tempt a 
minister into covetousness or scandal. 

" Take heed to yourselves, because there are 
many eyes upon you; and, therefore, there will 
be many observers of your falls. 

" Take heed to yourselves, for your sins have 
more heinous aggravations than those of other 
men. 

" Take heed to yourselves, for the honour of 
your Lord and Master and of his holy truth and 
ways doth lie more heavy upon you than on other 
men. 

" Take heed to yourselves, for the souls of 
your hearers and the success of all your labours 
do very much depend upon it. 

" It is not a very likely thing that the people 
will regard much the doctrine of those men who 
they see do not live as they preach. They will 
think that a preacher doth not mean as he speaks 
if he do not act as he speaks. They will hardly 
believe a man that seemeth not to believe him- 
self. If a man bid you run for your lives because 
a bear or an enemy is at your backs, and yet do 
not mend his pace in the same way, you will be 
tempted to think that he is but in jest, and that 
there is really no such danger as he pretends. 
When preachers tell people of the necessity of 
holiness, and that without it no man shall see the 



16 RICHARD BAXTER. 

Lord, and yet remain unholy themselves, the 
people will think they do but talk to pass away 
the hour, and because they must say something 
for their money, and that all these are but words 
of course. Long enough may you lift up your 
voice against sin before men will believe that there 
is any such harm or danger in it as you talk of, 
as long as they see the same man that reproach- 
eth it put it in his bosom and make it his de- 
light. 

" Yesj you who contradict your preaching by 
your lives do worse than all this, for you teach 
men to think ill of others that are better. How 
many a faithful minister and private Christian is 
hated and reproached for the sake of such as you. 
What, say the people to them, — ' You are so pre- 
cise, and tell us so much of sin, and danger, and 
duty, and make such a stir about these matters; 
when such and such a minister, that is as great a 
scholar as you, and as good a preacher too, will 
be merry and jest with us, and let us alone, and 
never trouble themselves or us with such dis- 
course. These busy fellows can never be quiet, 
but make more ado than needs: and love to 
frighten men with talk about damnation, when 
sober, learned, and peaceable divines can be quiet 
and live with us like other men.' This is the 
very thought and talk of people which your ne- 
gligence doth occasion. They will give you leave 
to preach against their sins as much as you will, 



MOTIVES TO FIDELITY. 17 

and talk as much for godliness in the pulpit, so 
you will but let them alone afterwards, and be 
friendly and merry with them when you have 
done, and talk as they do, and live as they, and 
be indifferent with them in your conscience and 
conversation. For they take the pulpit to be but 
a stage, a place where preachers must shew them- 
selves, and play their parts; where you have 
liberty to say what you list for an hour, and what 
you say they much regard not, if you shew them 
not by saying personally to their faces that you 
were in good earnest, and that you did indeed 
mean it for them. Is that man likely therefore to 
do much good, or fit to be a minister of Christ, 
that will speak for him for an hour, and by his life 
will preach against him all the week besides, and 
thus give his public words the lie by his conduct ?" 



Under the second general division in the text, 
" Take heed to all the flock," we have the follow- 
ing animated appeals and useful suggestions : 

MINISTERIAL ADDRESSES TO BE SUITED TO THE 
VARIOUS CHARACTERS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF 
THE HEARERS. 

" It is so sad a case to see men in a state of 
damnation, wherein, if they should die, they are 
immediately lost, that methinks we should not be 
able to let them alone, either in public or private, 
whatever other work we have to do. I confess I 
c 



18 RICHARD BAXTER. 

am forced frequently to neglect that which should 
tend to the farther increase of knowledge in the 
godly, and may be called stronger meat, because 
of the lamentable necessity of the unconverted. 
Who is able to talk of controversies, or nice unne- 
cessary points, yea, or truths of a lower degree of 
necessity, how excellent soever, while he seeth a 
company of ignorant, carnal, miserable sinners 
before his face, that must be changed or damned ? 
Methinks I even see them entering upon their 
final woe ! Methinks I even hear them crying 
out for help, and speediest help. Their misery 
speaks the louder, because they have not hearts 
to see or ask for help themselves. Many a time 
have I known that I had some hearers of higher 
fancies, that looked for rarities, and were addict- 
ed to despise the minister if he told them not 
somewhat more than ordinary; and yet I could 
not find in my heart to turn from the observation 
of the necessities of the impenitent, for the hu- 
mouring of these ; nor to leave speaking to the 
apparently miserable for their salvation, to speak 
to such novelists for the tickling of their ears ; 
no, nor so much as otherwise should be done 
to the weak, for their confirmation and increase 
in grace. Methinks, as Paul's spirit was stirred 
within him when he saw the Athenians so ad- 
dicted to idolatry, Acts xvii. 16, so it should cast 
us into one of his paroxysms, to see so many men 
in great probability of being everlastingly un- 
done ; and if by faith we did indeed look upon 



MINISTERIAL ADDRESSES. 19 

them as within a step of hell, it should more ef- 
fectually untie our tongues, than they tell us that 
Croesus' danger did his son's. He that will let a 
sinner go to hell for want of speaking to him, 
doth set less by souls than the Redeemer of souls 
did, and less by his neighbour than rational cha- 
rity will allow him to do by his greatest enemy. 
O therefore, brethren, whomsoever you neglect, 
neglect not the most miserable. Whatever you 
pass over, forget not poor souls that are under the 
condemnation and curse of the law, and may look 
every hour for the infernal execution, if a speedy 
change do not prevent it. O call after the impe- 
nitent, and ply this great work of converting 
souls, whatever else you leave undone. 

" Another part of the ministerial work is about 
those that are fallen under some great tempta- 
tion. Much of our assistance is needful to our 
people in such a case ; and therefore, every mi- 
nister should be a man that hath much insight 
into the tempter's wiles. We should know the 
great variety of them, and the cunning craft of 
all Satan's instruments that lie in wait to deceive, 
and the methods and devices of the grand deceiv- 
er. Some of our people lie under temptations to 
error and heresy, especially the young, unsettled, 
and most self-conceited ; and those that are most 
conversant or familiar with seducers. Young, 
raw, ungrounded Christians are commonly of their 
mind that have most interest in their esteem, and 
most opportunity of familiar talk to draw them 



20 RICHARD BAXTER. 

into their way. And as they are tinder, so de- 
ceivers want not the sparks of zeal to set them on 
a flame. A zeal for errors and opinions of our 
own is natural, and easily kindled and kept alive ; 
but it is far otherwise with the spiritual zeal for 
God. O what a deal of holy prudence and in- 
dustry is necessary in a pastor to preserve the 
flock from being tainted with heresies, and fall- 
ing into noxious conceits and practices, and espe- 
cially to keep them in unity and concord, and 
hinder the rising or increase of divisions ! 

" Others lie under a temptation to worldliness, 
and others to gluttony or drunkenness, and others 
to lust; some to one sin, and some to another. 
A faithful pastor should therefore have his eye 
upon them all, and labour to be acquainted with 
their natural temperament, and also with their 
occasions and affairs in the world, and the com- 
pany that they live or converse with, that so he 
may know where their temptations lie, and then 
speedily, prudently, and diligently to help them. 

" Another part of our work is to comfort 
the disconsolate, and to settle the peace of our 
people's souls, and that on sure and lasting 
grounds. To which end, the quality of the com- 
plainants, and the course of their lives, had need 
to be known ; for all must not have the like con- 
solations that have the like complaints. 

" The rest of our ministerial work is upon 
those that are yet strong ; for they also have need 



MINISTERIAL DUTIES. 21 

of our assistance ; partly to prevent their tempta- 
tions and declinings, and preserve the grace they 
have ; partly to help them for a further progress 
and increase, and partly to direct them in the im- 
proving of their strength for the service of Christ, 
and the assistance of their brethren. As also to 
encourage them, especially the aged, the tempted, 
and afflicted, to hold on, and to persevere, that 
they may attain the crown." 



The following useful observations relate to 



THE VARIOUS PARTS OF THE PUBLIC DUTY OF A 
MINISTER. 

" One part of our work, and the most excel- 
lent, because it tendeth to work on many, is the 
public preaching of the word ; — a work that re- 
quireth greater skill, and especially greater life 
and zeal, than any of us bring to it. It is no 
small matter to stand up in the face of a congre- 
gation, and deliver a message of salvation or dam- 
nation, as from the living God, in the name of 
our Redeemer. It is no easy matter to speak so 
plain, that the ignorant may understand us, and 
so seriously that the deadest hearts may feel us, 
and so convincingly that the contradicting cavil- 
lers may be silenced. 

" Another part of the ministerial work is to 
have a special care and oversight of each member 



22 RICHARD BAXTER. 

of the flock. The parts whereof are these that 
follow : 

" We must labour to be acquainted with 
the state of all our people as fully as we can; 
both to know the persons, and their inclinations 
and conversations; to know what are the sins 
that they are most in danger of, and what duties 
they neglect for the matter or manner, and what 
temptations they are most liable to. For if we 
know not the temperament or disease, we are like 
to prove but unsuccessful physicians. 

" We must use all the means we can to in- 
struct the ignorant in the matters of their salva- 
tion, by our own most plain familiar words, by 
giving or lending, or otherwise helping them to 
books that are fit for them. 

" As many have no just impression of the of- 
fice of the ministry, and their own necessity and 
duty therein, it belongeth to us to acquaint them 
therewith, and to press them publicly to come to 
us for advice, in such cases of great concernment 
to their souls. We must not only be willing to take 
the trouble, but draw it upon ourselves by invit- 
ing them hereto. What abundance of good might 
we do, could we but bring our people to this ! 
and doubtless much might be done in it, if we 
did our duties. How few have I ever heard that 
heartily pressed their people to their duty in this ! 
A sad case that people's souls should be so h> 
jured and hazarded, by the total neglect of so 



MINISTERIAL DUTIES. 23 

great a duty, and ministers scarce ever tell them 
of it, and awaken them to it ! Were they but duly 
sensible of the need and weight of this, you should 
have them more frequently knocking at your 
doors, and open their cases to you, and making 
their sad complaints and begging your advice. 
I beseech you put them more on this for the fu- 
ture, and perform it carefully when they seek 
your help. To this end it is very necessary that 
we be acquainted with practical cases, and espe- 
cially that we be acquainted with the nature of 
true grace, and able to assist them in trying their 
states, and resolve the main question that con- 
cerns their everlasting life or death. One word 
of seasonable prudent advice given by a minister 
to persons in necessity, hath done that good that 
many sermons would not have done. 

" Alas ! how few know how to deal with an ig- 
norant worldly man for his salvation ! To get 
within him and win upon him, and suit all speeches 
to men's several conditions and tempers; to choose 
the meetest subjects, and follow them with the 
holy mixture of seriousness, and terror, and love, 
and meekness, and evangelical allurements ! O, 
who is fit for such a thing ! I profess seriously, 
it seems to me (by experience) as hard a matter 
to confer aright with such a carnal person in order 
to his change, as to preach such sermons as or- 
dinarily we do, if not much more. All these dif- 
ficulties in ourselves should awaken us to resolu- 



24 RICHARD BAXTER. 

tions, preparation and diligence, that we be not 
overcome by them, and hindered from or in the 
work. 

" We must also have a special eye upon 
families to see that they be well ordered, and the 
duties of each relation performed. The life of 
religion, and the welfare and glory of church and 
state, dependeth much on family government and 
duty. If we suffer the neglect of this, we undo 
all. 

" Another part of our oversight lieth in visit- 
ing the sick, and helping them to prepare either 
for a fruitful life or a happy death: though this 
be the business of all our life and theirs, yet doth 
it at such a season require extraordinary care 
both of them and us. When time is almost gone 
and they must be now or never reconciled to 
God and possessed of his grace, O how doth it 
concern them to redeem those hours, and lay hold 
upon eternal life ! and when we see that we are 
like to have but a few days' or hours' time more 
to speak to them in order to their endless state. 
What man that is not an infidel, or a block, would 
not be with them, and do all that he can for their 
salvation in that short space ? Will it not awaken 
us to compassion to look upon a languishing 
man, and to think that within a few days his soul 
will be in heaven or hell? Surely it will much 
try the faith and seriousness of ministers or others 
to be about dying men : and they will have much 



MINISTERIAL DUTIES. 25 

opportunity to discern whether they are them- 
selves in good earnest about the matters of the 
life to come. So great is the change that is made 
by death, that it should awaken us to the great- 
est sensibility to see a man so near it, and should 
provoke us in the deepest pangs of compassion, 
to do the office of inferior angels for the soul be- 
fore it is departed from the flesh, that it may be 
ready for the convoy of superior angels, to trans- 
mit it to the prepared glory when it is removed 
from sin and misery. When a man is almost at 
his journey's end, and the next step puts him in- 
to heaven or hell, it is time for us to help him, if 
we can, while there is hope." 

In visiting the sick attend to the following 
hints. 

" Delay not till strength and understanding 
be gone, and the time so short that you scarce 
know what to do; but go to them as soon as you 
hear they are sick, whether they send for you or 
not. 

" When the time is so short that there is 
no opportunity to endeavour the change of their 
hearts in that distinct way, as is usual with others, 
nor to press truths upon them in such order, and 
stay the working of it by degrees ; we must 
therefore be sure to ply the main, and dwell upon 
those truths which must do the great work: 
shewing them the certainty and glory of the life 
to come, and the way by which it was purchased 
for us, and the great sin and folly of their neglect- 



26 RICHARD BAXTER. 

ing it in time of health; but yet the possibility 
that remaineth of obtaining it, if they but yet 
close with it heartily as their happiness, and with 
the Lord Jesus as the way thereto. 

66 If they do recover, be sure to remind them 
of their promises. Go to them purposely to set 
it home, and reduce them into performance. And 
whenever after you see them remiss, go to them 
then, and remind them what they formerly said. 
And because it is of such use to them that re- 
cover, (and hath been the means of the conversion 
of many a soul,) it is very necessary that you go 
to them whose sickness is not mortal, as well as 
to them that are nearer death: that so we may 
have some advantage to move them to repent- 
ance, and engage them to newness of life; and 
may afterward have this to plead against their 
sins. 

"Another part of our ministerial oversight con- 
sisteth in the right comforting the consciences of 
the troubled, and settling our people in a well- 
grounded peace. 

" Another part of this oversight is, in reprov- 
ing and admonishing those that live offensively or 
impenitently, and receiving the information of 
those that have admonished them more privately 
in vain. Before we bring such matters to the 
congregation, or a representative church, it is or- 
dinarily most fit for the minister to try himself 
what he can do more privately to bow the sinner 
to repentance, especially if it be not a public 



SPIRIT OF THE MINISTRY. 27 

crime. A great deal of skill is here required, and 
difference must be made according to the various 
tempers of the offenders; but with the most it 
will be necessary to fall on with the greatest 
plainness and power, to shake their careless 
hearts, and make them see what it is to dally with 
sin; to let them know the evil of it and its sad 
effects, and the unkindness, unreasonableness, 
unprofitableness, and other aggravations ; and 
what it is that they do against God and them- 
selves." 



The next observations refer to 

THE MANNER AND SPIRIT IN WHICH THE WORK 
OF THE MINISTRY OUGHT TO BE CONDUCTED. 

" The ministerial work must be managed pure- 
ly for God and the salvation of the people, and 
not for any private ends of our own. This is our 
sincerity in it. A wrong end makes all the 
work bad, as from us, how good soever in it- 
self. It is not a serving God but for ourselves, 
if we do it not for God but for ourselves. They 
that set upon this as a common work, to make a 
trade of it for their worldly livelihood, will find 
that they have chosen a bad trade, though a good 
employment. Self-denial is of absolute neces- 
sity in every Christian, but of a double necessity 
in a minister, as he hath a double sanctification 
or dedication to God : and without self-denial he 



£8 RICHARD BAXTER. 

cannot do God an hour's faithful service. Hard 
studies, much knowledge, and excellent preaching, 
is but a more glorious hypocritical sinning, if the 
ends be not right. 

" This work must be managed laboriously and 
diligently; as being of such unspeakable conse- 
quence to others and ourselves. We are seeking 
to uphold the world, to save it from the curse of 
God, to perfect the creation, to attain the ends of 
Christ's redemption, to save ourselves and others 
from damnation, to overcome the devil and de- 
molish his kingdom, and to set up the kingdom 
of Christ, and attain and help others to the king- 
dom of glory. And are these works to be done 
with a careless mind, or a lazy hand ? O see then 
that this work be done with all your might ! 
Study hard, for the well is deep, and our brains 
are shallow. 

" But, especially, be laborious in practice and 
exercise of your knowledge. Let Paul's words 
ring in your ears continually. Necessity is laid 
upon me, and woe unto me if I preach not the Gos- 
pel. Still think with yourselves what lieth upon 
your hands. If I do not bestir me, Satan may 
prevail, and the people everlastingly perish, and 
their blood be required at my hand. By avoid- 
ing labour and suffering, I shall draw on me a 
thousand times more than I avoid; whereas, by 
present diligence, you prepare for future blessed- 
ness. No one was ever a loser by God. 



SPIRIT OF THE MINISTRY. 29 

" This work must be carried on prudently, or- 
derly, and by degrees: milk must go before strong, 
meat: the foundation must be first laid before we 
build upon it. Children must not be dealt with 
as men at age. Men must be brought into a 
state of grace, before we can expect from them 
the works of grace. The work of conversion, and 
repentance from dead works, and faith in Christ, 
must be first, and frequently, and thoroughly 
taught. The stewards of God's household must 
give to each their portion in due season. We 
must not go beyond the capacities of our people 
ordinarily, nor teach them the perfection that 
have not learned the principles. 

" Through the whole course of our ministry 
we must insist most upon the greatest, most cer- 
tain, and necessary things, and be more seldom 
and sparing upon the rest. If we can but teach 
Christ to our people we teach them all. Get 
them well to heaven, and they will have know- 
ledge enough. The great and commonly ac- 
knowledged truths are they that men must live 
upon, and which are the great instruments of 
raising the heart to God, and destroying men's 
sins. And, therefore, we must still have our 
people's necessities in our eye. It will take us off 
gawdy and needless ornaments, and unprofitable 
controversies, to remember that one thing is 
needful. Other things are desirable to be known, 
but these must be known, or else our people are 



30 RICHARD BAXTER. 

undone for ever. I confess I think necessity 
should be a great disposer of a minister's course 
of study and labours. If we are sufficient for 
every thing, we might fall upon every thing, 
and take in order the whole Encyclopaedia. 
But life is short ; and we are dull ; and eter- 
nal things are necessary ; and the souls that 
depend on our teaching are precious. I confess 
necessity has been the conductor of my studies 
and life. It chooseth what book I shall read, and 
tells when and how long. It chooseth my text, 
and makes my sermon for matter and manner so 
far as I can keep out my own corruption. Though 
I know the constant expectation of death has 
been a great cause of this, yet I know no reason 
why the most healthful man should not make sure 
of the necessaries first, considering the uncertain- 
ty and shortness of all men's lives. 

" Hence it is that a preacher must be oft upon 
the same things, because the matters of necessity 
are few; we must not either feign necessaries, or 
fall much upon unnecessaries, to satisfy them 
that look after novelties: though we must clothe 
the same necessaries with a grateful variety in the 
manner of our delivery. The great volumes and 
tedious controversies that so much trouble us and 
waste our time, are usually made up more of 
opinion than necessary verities. 

" All our teaching must be as plain and evident 
as we can make it. For this doth most suit to a 



SPIRIT OF THE MINISTRY. 31 

teacher's ends. He that would be understood 
must speak to the capacity of his hearers, and 
make it his business to make himself understood. 
Truth loves the light, and is most beautiful when 
most naked. It is a sign of an envious enemy to 
hide the truth; and the sign of an hypocrite to 
do this under pretence of revealing it : and, there- 
fore, painted obscure sermons (like the painted 
glass in the windows that keeps out the light) are 
too often the marks of painted hypocrites. If 
you would not teach men, what do you in the 
pulpit ? If you would, why do you not speak so 
as to be understood ? I know the height of the 
matter may make a man not understood when he 
hath studied to make it as plain as he can; but 
that a man should purposely cloud the matter in 
strange words, and hide his mind from the people 
whom he pretended to instruct, is the way to 
make fools admire his profound learning, and 
wise men his folly, pride, and hypocrisy. 

" Our whole work must be carried on in a 
sense of our own insufficiency, and a pious be- 
lieving dependance upon Christ. We must go 
to him for light, and life, and strength, who sends 
us on the work; and when we feel our own faith 
weak, and our hearts growing dull and unsuitable 
to so great a work as we have to do, we must 
have recourse to the Lord that sendeth us, and 
say, " Lord, wilt thou send me with such an un- 
believing heart to persuade others to believe ? 
1 



32 illCHARD BAXTER. 

Must I daily and earnestly plead with sinners 
about everlasting life and death, and have no more 
belief and feeling of these weighty things myself? 
O send me not naked and unprovided to the 
work; but as thou commandest me to do it, fur- 
nish me with a spirit suitable thereto/ Prayer 
must carry on our work as well as preaching; he 
preacheth not heartily to his people that will not 
pray for them; if we prevail not with God to give 
them faith and repentance, we are unlike to pre- 
vail with them to believe and repent. Paul gives 
us frequently his example of praying night and 
day for his hearers: when our own hearts are so 
far out of order, and theirs so far out of order, if 
we prevail not with God to mend and help them, 
we are like to make but unsuccessful work. 

" Our work must be managed with great humi- 
lity; we must carry ourselves meekly and con- 
descendingly to all; and so teach others, as to be 
as ready to learn of any that can teach us, and so 
both teach and learn at once. 

" There must be a prudent mixture of severity 
and mildness both in our preaching and discipline; 
each must be predominant according to the quality 
of the person or matter that we have in hand. 

" We must be sincerely affectionate, serious, 
and zealous in all our public and private exhorta- 
tions. The weight of our matter condemneth 
coldness and sleepy dulness. We should see 
that we be well awakened ourselves, and our 



SPIRIT OF THE MINISTRY. 33 

spirits in such a plight as may make us fit to 
awaken others. 

" If our words be not sharpened, and pierce 
not as nails, they will hardly be felt by stony 
hearts. To speak coldly and slightly of heavenly 
things, is nearly as bad as to say nothing of them. 
All our work must be managed reverently as be- 
seemeth them that believe the presence of God, 
and use not holy things as if they were common. 
The more of God appeareth in our duties, the 
more authority will they have with men : and re- 
verence is that affection of the soul, which pro- 
ceedeth from deep apprehensions of God, and 
signifieth a mind that is much conversant with 
him. 

" I know not what it doth by others, but the 
most reverent preacher, that speaks as if he saw 
the face of God, doth more affect my heart, 
though with common words, than an irreverent 
man with the most exquisite preparations. Yea, 
if he bawl it out with never so much seeming 
earnestness, if reverence be not answerable to 
fervency, it worketh but little. Of all preaching 
in the world, (that speaks not stark lies,) I hate 
that preaching that tendeth to make the hearers 
laugh, or to move their minds with tickling levity, 
and affect them as stage-plays used to do, in- 
stead of affecting them with a holy reverence of 
the name of God. 

" We should, as it were, suppose we saw the 
d 



34 RICHARD BAXTER. 

throne of God, and the millions of glorious an- 
gels attending him, that we might be awed with 
his majesty, when we draw near him in his holy 
things, lest we profane them, and take his name 
in vain. 

" To this I add, that all our work must be 
done spiritually, as by men possessed by the 
Holy Ghost, and acted by him, and men that sa- 
vour the things of the Spirit. There is in some 
men's preaching a spiritual strain which spiritual 
hearers can discern and relish. And in some 
men's this sacred tincture is so wanting, that even 
when we speak of spiritual things, the manner is 
such as if they were common matters. 

" The whole course of our ministry must be 
carried on in a tender love to our people; we 
must let them see that nothing pleaseth us but 
what proflteth them ; and that which doth them 
good, doth us good ; and nothing troubleth us 
more than their hurt. We must remember as 
Hierome saith, ad Nepotian. ' that bishops are not 
gods, but fathers;' and therefore must be affected 
to their people as their children : yea, the ten- 
derest love of a mother should not surpass theirs. 
We must even 6 travel in birth for them till 
Christ be formed in them.' They should see that 
we care for no outward thing, not money, not 
liberty, not credit, not life, in comparison with 
their salvation. Thus should we, as John saith, 
be ready to lay down our lives for the brethren, 



SPIRIT OF THE MINISTRY. 35 

and with Paul, not to count our lives dear to our- 
selves, so we may finish our course with joy, in do- 
ing the work of God for their salvation. When the 
people see that you unfeignedly love them, they 
will hear any thing and bear any thing, and follow 
you the more easily. O, therefore, see that you 
feel a tender love to your people in your breasts, 
and then let them feel it in your speeches, and see 
it in your dealings. Let them see that you spend 
and are spent for their sakes ; and that all you 
do is for them, and not for any ends of your own. 
" Another necessary concomitant of our work 
is patience. We must bear with many abuses and 
injuries from those we are doing good for. When 
we have studied for them, and prayed for them, 
and beseeched and exhorted them with all con- 
descension, and spent ourselves for them, and 
given them what Ave are able, and tended them 
as if they had been our children, we must 
look that many would requite us with scorn, and 
hatred, and contempt, and cast our kindness in 
our faces with disdain, and take us for their ene- 
mies, because we tell them the truth ; and that 
the more we love, the less we shall be beloved. 
And all this must be patiently undergone, and 
still we must unweariedly hold on doing good, in 
meekness instructing those that oppose them- 
selves, if God peradventure will give them repen- 
tance. If they unthankfully scorn and reject 
our teaching, and bid us look to ourselves, and 



36 RICHARD BAXTER. 

care not for them, yet we must hold on. We have 
to deal with distracted men, that will fly in the 
face of their physician, but we must not therefore 
forsake the case. He is unworthy to be a physici- 
an, that will be driven away from a phrenitic pa- 
tient by foul words. 

" If we tell them that natural men favour not the 
things of the Spirit, and are beside themselves in 
matters of salvation, we must measure our ex- 
pectations accordingly, and not look that fools 
should make us as grateful a return as the wise. 
These are things that all of us can say, but when 
we come to the practice with sinners that reproach 
and slander us for our Lord, and are readier to 
spit in our faces than to give us thanks for our 
advice, what heart-risings will there be, and how 
will the remnants of old Adam (pride and passion) 
struggle against the meekness and patience of the 
new man ! And how sadly do ministers come 
off in this part of their trial ! 

" We must be very studious of union and com- 
munion among ourselves, and of the unity and 
peace of the churches that we oversee. We 
must be sensible how needful that is to the pro- 
sperity of the whole, the strengthening of our 
common cause, the good of the particular mem- 
bers of our flocks, and the farther enlargement 
of the kingdom of Christ. Instead of quarrelling 
with our brethren, we must combine against the 
common adversaries. And ministers must asso- 



EVIL OF PRIDE. 37 

ciate, and hold communion and correspondency, 
and constant meetings, to those ends ; and small- 
er differences of judgment are not to interrupt 
them. They must do as much of the work of 
God in unity and concord as they can. Had the 
ministers of the gospel been men of peace, and 
of Catholic rather than factious spirits, the church 
of Christ had not been in the case as now it is." 



The following extracts contain a warning a- 
gainst 

SOME OF THOSE SINS INTO WHICH MINISTERS ARE 
APT TO FALL. 

" One of our most heinous and palpable sins is 
pride; a sin that hath too much interest in the 
best ; but it is more hateful and inexcusable in 
us than in any man. Yet it is so prevalent in 
some of us, that it inditeth our discourses for us, 
it chooseth us our company, it formeth our coun- 
tenances, it putteth the accents and emphasis 
upon our words ; when we reason, it is the de- 
terminer and exciter of our cogitations. It fills 
some men's minds with aspiring desires and de- 
signs. It possesseth them with envious and bitter 
thoughts against those that stand in their light, 
or by any means eclipse their glory, or hinder 
the progress of their idolized reputation. O, what 



38 RICHARD BAXTER. 

a constant companion, what a tyrannical comman- 
der, what a sly and insinuating enemy, is this sin 
of pride ! It goes with men to the draper, the 
mercer, the tailor ; it chooseth them their cloth, 
their trimming, and their fashion. It dresseth 
them in the morning, at least the outside. And 
I would that were all, or the worst ; but, alas ! 
how frequently doth it go with us to our studies, 
and there sit with us, and do our work ? 
How often doth it choose our subject ; and more 
often choose our words and ornaments ? God 
biddeth us be as plain as we can, for the inform- 
ing of the ignorant; and as convincing and serious 
as we are able, for the melting and changing of 
unchanged hearts; and pride stands by and con- 
tradicteth all; and sometimes it puts in toys and 
trifles, and polluteth rather than polisheth, and 
under pretence of laudable ornaments, it dis- 
honoureth our sermons with childish gaudes. 
It persuadeth us to paint the window that it may 
dim the light; and to speak to our people that 
which they cannot understand, to acquaint them 
that we are able to speak unprofitably. It taketh 
off the edge, and dulls the life of all our teach- 
ing, under pretence of filing off the roughness, 
unevenness, and superfluity. If we have a plain 
and cutting passage, it throws it away as too rus- 
tic or ungraceful. When God chargeth us to 
deal with men as for their lives, and beseech 
them with all the earnestness that we are able, 



EVIL OF PRIDE. 30 

this cursed sin controlleth all, and condemneth 
the most holy commands of God, and calleth our 
most necessary duty a madness; and saith to us, 
What, will you make people think you are mad ? 
Will you make them say you rage or rave ? can- 
not you speak soberly and moderately ? And 
thus doth pride make many a man's sermons, 
and what pride makes the devil makes ; and what 
sermons the devil will make, and to what end, we 
may easily conjecture. Though the matter be of 
God, yet if the dress and manner be from Satan, 
we have no great reason to expect success. 

" And when pride has made the sermon, it 
goes with them into the pulpit, it formeth their 
tone, it animateth them in the delivery, it takes 
them off from that which may be displeasing, 
how necessary soever, and putteth them in pur- 
suit of vain applause. And the sum of all this is, 
that it maketh men, both in studying and preach- 
ing, to seek themselves and deny God, when they 
should seek God's glory and deny themselves. 
When they should ask, What should I say, and 
how should I say it, to please God best, and do 
most good ? it makes them ask, What shall I say, 
and how shall I deliver it, to be thought a learn- 
ed, able preacher, and to be applauded by all that 
hear me ? When the sermon is done, pride goeth 
home with them, and maketh them more eager 
to know whether they were applauded, than 
whether they did prevail for the saving change of 

1 



40 RICHARD BAXTER. 

souls. They could find in their hearts, but for 
shame, to ask folks how they liked them, and to 
draw out their commendation. If they do per- 
ceive that they are highly thought of, they re- 
joice as having attained their end; but if they 
perceive that they are esteemed but weak or com- 
mon men, they are displeased, as having missed 
the prize of the day. 

" But yet this is not all, nor the worst. O that 
ever it should be spoken of godly ministers, that 
they are so set upon popular air and of sitting 
highest in men's estimation, that they envy the 
parts and names of their brethren that are pre- 
ferred before them, as if all were taken from their 
praises that is given to another's, and as if God 
had given them his gifts to be the mere orna- 
ments and trappings of their persons, that they 
may walk as men of reputation in the world, and 
all his gifts in others were to be trodden down 
and vilified, if they seem to stand in the way of 
their honour. What ! a saint, a preacher for Christ, 
and yet envy that which hath the image of Christ, 
and malign his gifts for which he should have the 
glory, and all because they seem to hinder our 
glory ! Is not every true Christian a member of 
the body, and, therefore, partaketh of the bless- 
ings of the whole, and of each particular member 
thereof? and doth not every man owe thanks to 
God for his brethren's gifts, not only as having 
himself a part in them, as the foot hath the be- 



EVIL OF PRIDE. 41 

nefit of the guidance of the eye, but also because 
his own ends may be attained by his brethren's 
gifts as well as by his own ? And some go so far, 
that they are unwilling that any one that is abler 
than themselves should come into their pulpits, 
lest they should be applauded above themselves: 
a fearful thing, that any man should so envy at 
God's gifts, and had rather that his carnal hear- 
ers were unconverted, and the drowsy not awak- 
ened, than that it should be done by another who 
may be preferred before them. Yea, so far doth 
this cursed vice prevail, that in great congregations 
that have need of the help of many teachers, we 
can scarce, in many places, get two in equality to 
live together in love and quietness, and unani- 
mously to carry on the work of God. But un- 
less one of them be quite below the other in parts, 
and content to be so esteemed, or unless one be a 
curate to the other, or ruled by him, they are 
contending for precedency, and envying each 
other's interest, and walking with strangeness and 
jealousy towards one another, to the shame of 
their profession, and the great wrong of the con- 
gregation. 

" And so high are our spirits when it becomes 
a duty to any man to reprove or contradict us, we 
are commonly impatient both of the matter and the 
manner. We love the man that will say as we 
say, and be of our opinion, and promote our re- 
putation, though he be less worthy of our love in 



42 RICHARD BAXTER. 

other respects. But he is ungrateful to us that 
contradicteth us, and differeth from us, and that 
dealeth plainly with us in our miscarriages, and 
telleth us of our faults; especially in the man- 
agement of our public arguings, where the eye 
of the world is upon us, we can scarce endure 
any contradiction or plain dealing. I confess 
I have often wondered at it, that this most hein- 
ous sin of pride should be made too light of, 
and thought consistent with a holy frame of heart 
and life, when far lesser sins are by ourselves 
proclaimed to be so damnable in our people.* 

* I am happy to introduce here one of the finest examples of 
genuine Christian humility which is perhaps any where to be 
found, and when it is recollected that it is an extract from the 
diary of the late Mr. Brainerd, Missionary to the Indians in North 
America, no one who is acquainted with his character will en- 
tertain a doubt of its being a fair transcript of the state of his 
mind. " God has made me willing to do any thing that I can do 
consistent with truth for the sake of peace, and that I might not 
be a stumbling and offence to others. For this reason, I can 
cheerfully forego and give up, what I verily believe, after the most 
mature and impartial search, is my right, in some instances. God 
has given me that disposition, that if this were the case that a 
man has done me an hundred injuries, and I (though ever so 
much provoked to it) have done him one, I feel disposed, and 
heartily willing, humbly to confess my fault to him, and on my 
knees to ask forgiveness of him ; though, at the same time, he 
should justify himself in all the injuries he has done me, and 
should only make use of my humble confession to blacken my 
character the more, and represent me as the only person guilty ; 
yea, though he should, as it were, insult me, and say, he knew 
all this before, and that I was making work for repentance." 

Edit. 



EVIL OF PRIDE. 43 

O that the Lord would lay us at his feet, in 
the tears of unfeigned sorrow for this sin. Bre- 
thren, may I take leave a little to expostulate this 
case with my own heart and you, that we may see 
the shame of our sin, and be reformed. Is not 
pride the sin of devils ? The first born of hell ? 
Is it not that wherein Satan's image doth much 
consist ? And is it a tolerable evil in a man that is 
so engaged against him and his kingdom as we 
are? The very design of the gospel doth tend to 
self-abasing; and the work of grace is begun and 
carried on in humiliation. Humility is not a 
mere ornament of a Christian, but an essential 
part of the new creature. It is a contradiction 
to be a sanctified man, or a true Christian, and 
not humble. All that will be Christians must be 
Christ's disciples, and come to him to learn; and 
their lesson is to be meek and lowly, Matt. xi. 28. 
O how many precepts and admirable examples 
hath our Lord and Master given us to this end ! 
Can we once conceive of him as purposely wash- 
ing and wiping his servants' feet, and yet be stout 
and lordly still ? Shall he converse with the mean- 
est, and we avoid them as contemptible people, 
and think none but persons of riches and honour 
to be fit for our society ? How many of us are 
oftener found in the houses of gentlemen, than in 
the poor cottages of those that have need of our 
help? 



44 RICHARD BAXTER. 

" Our very business is to teach the great lesson 
of self-denial and humility to our people; and 
how unfit is it then that we should be proud our- 
selves? We must study humility, and preach 
humility; and must we not possess and practise 
it? A proud preacher of humility is, at least, a 
self-condemning man. The work we do may be 
God's, and yet we may do it not for God, but for 
ourselves. I confess I feel such continual dan- 
ger in this point, that if I do not watch against 
it, lest I should study for myself, and preach for 
myself, and write for myself, rather than for 
Christ, I should soon miscarry; and, after all, I 
justify not myself when I must condemn the sin. 
Consider, I beseech you, brethren, what baits 
there are in the work of the ministry, to entice a 
man to be selfish; that is, to be carnal and impious, 
even in the highest works of piety. The fame of 
a godly man is as great a snare as the fame of a 
learned man ; and woe to him that takes up with 
the fame of godliness. Verily, I say unto you, 
they have their reward. When the times were 
all for learning and empty formalities, then the 
temptation of the proud did lie that way; but, 
now through the unspeakable mercy of God, the 
most lively preaching is in credit, and godliness 
itself is in credit: and even the temptation to 
proud men is here, even to pretend to be zealous 
preachers and godly men. O what a fine thing 
doth it seem to have the people crowd to hear us, 



IMPORTANCE OF UNITY. 4* 

and to be affected with what we say, and then we 
can command their judgments and affections ! 
What a taking thing to be cried up as the ablest 
and godliest man in the country; and to be fam- 
ed through the land for the highest spiritual ex- 
cellencies. To have the people plead for you as 
their felicity, and call you the pillars of the church 
of God, and their fathers the chariots and horse- 
men of Israel, and no lower language than ex- 
cellent men, and able divines, and have them de- 
pend upon you and be ruled by you; though this 
may be no more than their duty, yet I must again 
tell you, that a little grace may serve to make you 
seem zealous men for this. Nay, pride may do it, 
without any special grace at all. O, therefore, be 
jealous of yourselves, and in all your studies be 
sure to study humility. He that exalteth him- 
self shall be brought low, and he that humbleth 
himself shall be exalted. 

" Another sin is not studying unity among 
Christians as far as it is practicable. It is a great 
and common sin through the Christian world to 
take up religion in a way of faction; and, instead 
of love and tender care of the universal church, to 
confine that love and respect to a party. Not 
but that we must prefer in our estimation and 
communion the purer parts before the impure, 
and refuse to participate with any in their sins: 
but the most infirm and diseased part should be 
compassionated and assisted to our utmost power; 



46 RICHARD BAXTER. 

and communion must be held as far as it is law- 
ful, and nowhere avoided but upon the urgency 
of necessity. 

" We have as sad divisions in England, con- 
sidering the piety of the persons, and the small- 
ness of the matter of our discord, as most nations 
under heaven have known. The most that keeps 
us at odds is but about the right form and order 
of church government. Is the distance so great 
that Presbyterian, Episcopal, and Independent 
might not be well agreed ? Were they but heartily 
willing and forward for peace, they might. I 
know they might. I have spoken with some 
moderate men of all the parties, and I perceive 
by their concessions it were an easy work. 
Were men's hearts but sensible of the church's 
case, and unfeignedly touched with love to one an- 
other, and did they but heartily set themselves 
to seek it, the settling of a safe and happy peace 
were an easy work. If we could not in every point 
agree, we might easily find out, and narrow our 
differences, and hold communion upon our 
agreement in the main; determining of the safest 
way for the managing of our few and small dis- 
agreements, without the danger or trouble of the 
church. But is this much done ? It is not done. 
To the shame of all our faces be it spoken, it is 
not done. Let each party flatter themselves now 
as they please, it will be recorded to the shame 
of the ministry of England while the gospel shall 



IMPORTANCE OF UNITY. 47 

abide in the Christian world. They all confess 
the worth of peace, and most of them will preach 
for it, and talk of it, while they sit still and neglect 
it, as if it were not worth the looking after. They 
will read and preach on those texts that command 
men to follow peace with all men, and as much as 
in us lieth, if it be possible, to live peaceably with 
them: and yet we are so far from following it, 
and doing all that possibly we can for it, that too 
many will snarl at it, and malign and censure any 
that endeavour it, as if all zeal for peace did pro- 
ceed from an abatement from our zeal for holiness; 
and as if holiness and peace were so fallen out 
that there were no reconciling them; when yet 
they have found by long experience, that concord 
is a sure friend to piety, and piety always moves 
to concord. We have seen how errors and 
heresies breed by discord, and discord is bred 
and fed by them. We have seen, to our sorrow, 
that where the servants of God should live to- 
gether as one, of one heart, and one soul, and 
one life, and should promote each other's faith 
and holiness, and admonish and assist each other 
against sin, and rejoice together in the hope of 
their future glory; we have contrarily lived in 
mutual jealousies, and drowned holy love in bit- 
ter contendings, and have studied to disgrace and 
undermine one another, and to increase our own 
parties by right or wrong. O what a nation 
might England have been ere now, if it had not 



48 RICHARD BAXTER. 

been for the proud and obstinate contentions of 
godly ministers ! What abundance of good might 
we have done ! Nay, what might we not have 
done, if our perverseness had not marred our 
work ! Again, though we were not at all of a 
mind in some smaller matters, yet if we did but 
hold communion and correspondency, and join 
together in the main, and do as much of God's 
work as we can in concurrent unanimity, the 
people would far more regard us, and we might 
be in a greater capacity to do them good. If I 
durst, in conscience, I would have silenced all 
this, for fear of giving offence to those whom I 
much honour. But what am I but a servant of 
Christ? and what is my life worth but to do him 
service? and whose favour can recompense for 
the ruins of the church? and who can be silent 
while souls are undone ? Not I, for my part, 
while God is my Master, and his word my rule ; 
his work my business, and the success of it for 
the saving of men my end. Who can be reconcil- 
ed to that which so lamentably crosseth his 
Master's interest and his main end? 

" The next sin which I shall mention, that we 
are lamentably guilty of, is this : We do not so 
seriously, unreservedly, and industriously lay out 
ourselves in the work of the Lord, as beseemeth 
men of our profession and engagements. I bless 
the Lord that there are so many that do his work 
with all their might ; but alas ! for the most part, 



UNRESERVED DEVOTEDNESS. 49 

even of those that we take for godly ministers, 
how reservedly and how negligently do we go 
through our work. How few of us do so behave 
ourselves, in our office, as men that are wholly 
devoted thereto, and have devoted all that they 
have to the same ends. And because you shall 
see my grounds for this confession, I shall men- 
tion to you some of the sinful discoveries of it 
which do too much abound. 

" It is too common with us to be negligent in 
our studies, and few men will be at that pains 
which is necessary for the right informing of 
their understandings, and fitting them for their 
farther work. Some men have no delight in 
their studies, but take only now and then an 
hour, as an unwelcome task which they are forced 
to undergo, and are glad when they are from 
under the yoke. Will neither the natural desire 
of knowing, nor the spiritual desire of knowing 
God and things divine, nor the consciousness of 
our great ignorance and weakness, nor the sense 
of the weight of our ministerial work, will none 
of all these keep us closer to our studies, and 
make us more painful in seeking after the truth? 
O what abundance of things are there that a 
minister should understand, and what a great 
defect is it to be ignorant of them; and how 
much shall we miss such knowledge in our work ! 
Many ministers study only to compose their ser- 
mons, and very little more, when there are so 

E 



50 RICHARD BAXTER. 

many books to be read, and so many matters that 
we should not be unacquainted with. Nay, in 
the study of our sermons we are too negligent, 
gathering only a few naked heads, and not con- 
sidering of the most forcible expressions by which 
we should set them home to men's hearts. We 
must study how to convince and get within men, 
and how to bring each truth to the quick, and not 
leave all this to our extemporary promptitude, 
unless it be in the cases of necessity. Certainly, 
brethren, experience will teach you that men are 
not made learned or wise without hard study, and 
unwearied labours, and experience. 

66 If ministers were set upon the work of the 
Lord, it would be done more vigorously than by 
the most of us it is. How few ministers do preach 
with all their might ; or speak about everlasting- 
joy or torment in such a manner as may make 
men believe that they are in good earnest. It 
would make a man's heart ache to see a company 
of dead and drowsy sinners sit under a minister, 
and not have a word that is like to quicken or 
awaken them: To think with ourselves, O if these 
sinners were but convinced and awakened, they 
might yet be converted and live. And, alas ! we 
speak so drowsily or gently, that sleepy sinners 
cannot hear. The blow falls so light that hard 
hearted persons cannot feel it. Most ministers 
will not so much as put out their voice, and stir 
up themselves to an earnest utterance: but if 



UNRESERVED DEVOTEDNESS. 51 

they do speak loudly and earnestly, how few do 
answer it with earnestness of matter; and the 
voice doth little good, the people will take it but 
as mere bawling when the matter doth not cor- 
respond. It would grieve one to hear what ex- 
cellent doctrines some ministers have in hand, 
and let them die in their hands for want of close and 
lively application. What fit matter they have 
for convincing sinners : and how little they make 
of it ; and what a deal of good it might do if it 
were set home ; and yet they cannot nor will not 
do it. O ! Sirs, how plain, how close, and earnest- 
ly should we deliver a message of such a nature 
as ours is; when the everlasting life or death of 
men is concerned in it. Methinks we are no 
where so wanting as in this seriousness. There 
is nothing more unsuitable to such a business 
than to be slight and dull. What ! speak coldly 
for God, and for men's salvation ; can we believe 
that our people must be converted or condemn- 
ed, and yet can we speak in a drowsy tone ? In 
the name of God, brethren, labour to awaken 
your hearts before you come, and when you are 
in the work, that you may be fit to awaken the 
hearts of sinners. Remember that they must be 
awakened or damned; and a sleepy preacher will 
hardly awake them. If you give the holy things 
of God the highest praises in words, and yet do 
it coldly, you will seem in the manner to unsay 
what you said in the matter. It is a kind of 



52 RICHARD BAXTER. 

contempt of great things, especially so great, to 
speak of them without great affection and fer- 
vency. The manner, as well as the words, must 
set them forth, if we are commanded whatever 
our hand findeth to do, to do it with all our 
might. But alas ! how few, how thin sown are 
such men; here one and there one, even among 
good ministers that have an earnest persuading 
working way, or that the people can feel him 
preach when they hear him. 

" Another sad evil is the prevalence of world- 
ly fleshly interests too much against the interest 
of Christ. This appears, 1. From our temporizing 
spirit; 2. From our too much minding worldly 
things, and shrinking from duties that will hinder 
our convenience; 3. From our barrenness in works 
of charity, and in improving all that we have for 
our Master's use. See then whether this be not 
the great and lamentable sin of the ministers of 
the gospel, that they be not fully devoted to 
God, and give not up themselves and all they 
have to the carrying on of the blessed work which 
they have undertaken : and whether flesh-pleas- 
ing and self-seeking, and an interest distinct 
from that of Christ, do not make us neglect much 
of our duty, and walk too unfaithfully in so great 
a trust, and reservedly serve God in the cheapest 
and most applauded part of his work, and with- 
draw from that which would put us upon cost 
and sufferings. And whether this do not shew 



MOTIVES TO ACTIVITY. 53 

that too many are earthly that seem to be heaven- 
ly, and mind the things below while they preach 
for the things above, and idolize the world while 
they call men to contemn it," 



MOTIVES TO ACTIVITY IN THE WORK OF THE MIN- 
ISTRY. 

" The first quickening consideration which the 
text here affordeth us, is taken from our relation 
to all the flock. We are overseers of it. Do men 
know and consider what they have undertaken that 
live at ease and pleasure, and have time to take 
their superfluous recreations, and to spend an 
hour and more at once in loitering and vain dis- 
courses, when so much work doth lie upon their 
hands ? Why, brethren, do you consider where 
you stand, and what you have taken upon you? 
Why, you have undertaken the conduct under 
Christ of a band of his soldiers against princi- 
palities and powers, and spiritual wickedness in 
high places. You must lead them on to the sharp- 
est conflicts. You must acquaint them with the 
enemy's stratagems and assaults. You must watch 
yourselves, and keep them watching. If you 
miscarry, they and you may perish. You have 
a subtile enemy, and therefore must be wise; you 
have a vigilant enemy, and therefore you must 
be vigilant; a malicious, and violent, and un- 
wearied enemy, and therefore you must be re- 



•H RICHARD BAXTER. 

solute, courageous, and unwearied; you are in 
a crowd of enemies, compassed with them on 
every side, and if you only heed one and not all, you 
will quickly fall. And O, what a world of work 
have you to do ! Had you but one ignorant old 
man or woman to teach, though willing to learn, 
what a tedious task is it; but if they be as unwill- 
ing as ignorant, how much more difficult is it. 
But to have such a multitude of these, as most of 
us have, what work will it find us. Who hath ever 
tried it that knoweth it not by experience ? What 
a pitiful life is it to reason with men that have al- 
most lost the use of reason, and to talk with ob- 
stinate wilful people. 

" Again, what an excellent life is it to live in 
the habitual study of the scriptures and preaching 
of Christ; to be still searching into his mysteries, 
or feeding on them, to be daily in the considera- 
tion of the blessed nature, or works, or ways of 
God. Others are glad of the leisure of the Lord's 
day, and now and then an hour besides when they 
can lay hold of it: but we may keep a continual 
Sabbath; we may do nothing else almost but study 
and talk of God and glory, and call upon him, 
and drink in his sacred saving truths. Our em- 
ployment is all high and spiritual; whether we be 
alone or with others, our business is for another 
world. O were but our hearts more suitable to 
this work, what a blessed joyful life should we 
live. How sweet should our study be to us. 



MOTIVES TO ACTIVITY. 55 

How pleasant would the pulpit be; and what a 
delight would our conference of these things af- 
ford us. To live among such excellent helps as 
our libraries afford, and have so many silent wise 
companions whenever we please, and of such 
variety: all these, and more such privileges of 
the ministry, bespeak our unwearied diligence in 
the work. 

" The next motive in the text, is from the 
dignity of the object. It is the church of God 
which we must foresee and feed. It is that church 
which the world is much upheld for; which is 
sanctified by the Holy Ghost; which is united to 
Christ, and is his mystical body: that church 
which angels are present with, and attend upon 
as ministering spirits; whose very little ones have 
their angels beholding the face of God in heaven. 

what a charge is it that we have undertaken. 
And shall we be unfaithful to such a charge ? 
Have we the stewardship of God's own family, 
and shall we neglect it ? Have we the conduct of 
those saints that must live for ever with God in 
glory, and shall we neglect them? God forbid. 

1 beseech you, brethren, let this thought awaken 
the negligent. You that draw back from painful, 
displeasing, suffering duties, and will put off men's 
souls with ineffectual formalities; do you think 
this an honourable usage of Christ's spouse ? Are 
the souls of men thought meet by God to see his 
face, and live for ever in his glory, and are they 



<56 RICHARD BAXTER. 

not worthy of your utmost cost and labour ? Do 
you think so basely of the church of God, as if it 
deserved not the best of your care and help ? 

" The last motive that is mentioned in my text, 
is, from the price that was paid for the church 
which we oversee. God, the Son, did purchase 
it with his own blood. O what an argument is 
here to quicken the negligent ; and what an ar- 
gument to condemn those that will not be quick- 
ened up to their duty by it. 

" O then let us hear those arguments of Christ, 
whenever we feel ourselves grow dull and careless. 
Did I die for them, and wilt not thou look after 
them ? Were they worth my blood, and are they 
not worth thy labour ? Did I come down from 
heaven to earth, to seek and to save that which 
was lost; and wilt not thou go to the next door, or 
street, or village, to seek them ? How small is 
thy labour or condescension to mine. I debas- 
ed myself to this, but it is thy honour to be so 
employed. Have I done and suffered so much 
for their salvation, and was I willing to make 
thee a co-worker with me, and wilt thou refuse 
that little that lieth upon thy hands ? Every time 
we look upon our congregations, let us believ- 
ingly remember that they are the purchase of 
Christ's blood; and, therefore, should be regard- 
ed accordingly by us. And think what a con- 
fusion it will be at the last day to a negligent 
minister, to have this blood of the Son of God to 
be pleaded against him." 



EXHORTATIONS TO FIDELITY. 5? 



SOME EXHORTATIONS TO FIDELITY IN THE MIN- 
ISTRY OF THE GOSPEL, WITH THE BENEFITS 
THAT WILL FLOW FROM IT. 

" First then, and above all, see that the work of 
saving grace be thoroughly wrought on your own 
souls. It is a fearful case to be an unsanctified 
professor; but much more to be an unsanctified 
preacher. Doth it not make you tremble when 
you open the Bible, lest you should read there 
the sentence of your own condemnation ? When 
you pen your sermons, little do you think that 
you are drawing up indictments against your 
own souls. Remember when you are arguing 
against sin you are aggravating your own; when 
you proclaim to your hearers the riches of Christ 
and grace, you publish your own iniquity in re- 
jecting them, and your unhappiness in being with- 
out them. What can you do in persuading men 
to Christ, in drawing them from the world, in 
urging them to a life of faith and holiness, but 
conscience, if it were awake, might tell you that 
you speak all this to your own confusion ? If you 
mention hell, you mention your own inheritance. 
If you describe the joys of heaven, you describe 
your misery that have no right to it. What can 
you devise to say, for the most part, but it will be 
against your own souls ? O miserable life ! that a 
man should study and preach against himself, and 
spend all his days in a course of self-condemning ! 



58 RICHARD BAXTER. 

A graceless unexperienced preacher is one of the 
most unhappy creatures upon earth; and yet he 
is ordinarily most insensible of his unhappiness. 
For he hath so many counters that seem like the 
gold of saving grace, and so many splendid stones 
that seem like Christian jewels, that he is seldom 
troubled with the thoughts of his poverty; but 
thinks he is rich, and wanteth nothing, when he 
is poor, and miserable, and blind, and naked. 
He is acquainted with the holy scriptures, he is 
exercised in holy duties, he liveth not in open 
disgraceful sin, he serveth at God's altar, he re- 
proveth other men's faults, and preacheth up 
holiness both of heart and life; and how can this 
man but be holy ? O what an aggravated misery 
is this, to perish in the midst of plenty ! and to 
famish with the bread of life in our hands, while 
we offer it to others, and urge it on them ! That 
those ordinances of God should be the occasions 
of our delusion, which are instituted to be the 
means of our conviction and salvation ! and that 
while we hold the looking glass of the gospel to 
others, to shew them the true face of the state of 
their souls, we should either look on the backside 
of it ourselves, where we can see nothing, or turn 
it aside, that it may mis-represent us to ourselves. 
If such a wretched man would take my counsel, 
he should make a stand, and call his heart and 
life to an account, and fall a preaching awhile to 
himself before he preach any more to others. 



EXHORTATIONS TO FIDELITY. 59 

" My second particular exhortation is this: 
Content not yourselves to have the main work of 
grace, but be also very careful that your graces 
be kept in life and action; and that you preach, 
to yourselves, the sermons that you study, before 
you preach them to others. If you did this for 
your own sakes, it would be no lost labour ; but 
I am speaking to you on the public account, and 
that you would do it for the sake of the church. 
When your minds are in a heavenly holy frame, 
your people are like to partake of the fruits of it. 
Your prayers, and praises, and doctrine, will be 
heavenly and sweet to them. They will likely 
feel when you have been much with God: that 
which is on your hearts most, is like to be most 
in their ears. I confess, I must speak it by 
lamentable experience, that I speak to my flock 
the distempers of my soul, when I let my heart 
grow cold; and when it is confused, my preaching 
will be so; and so I can observe too oft in the 
best of my hearers, that when I have a while 
grown cold in preaching, they have cooled ac- 
cordingly; and the next prayers that I have heard 
from them have been too like my preaching. We 
are the nurses of Christ's little ones. If we for- 
bear our food, we shall famish them; they will 
quickly find it in the want of milk; and we may 
quickly see it again on them, in the lean and dull 
discharge of their several duties. If we let our 
love go down, we are not so like to raise up 



60 RICHARD BAXTER. 

theirs. If we abate our holy care and fear, it will 
appear in our doctrine. If the matter shew it not, 
the manner will. If we feed on unwholesome 
food, either errors, or fruitless controversies, our 
hearers are like to fare the worse for it. Where- 
as, if we could abound in faith, and love, and 
zeal, how would it overflow to the refreshing of 
our congregations, and how would it appear in 
the increase of the same graces in others. O 
brethren ! watch therefore over your own hearts; 
keep out lusts, and passions, and worldly inclina- 
tions. Keep up the life of faith and love. Be 
much at home ; and be much with God. If it be 
not your daily serious business to study your own 
hearts, and subdue corruptions, and live as upon 
God, if you make it not your very work which 
you constantly attend, all will go amiss, and you 
will starve your auditors; or if you have but an 
affected fervency, you cannot expect such a bless- 
ing to attend it. Be much, above all, in secret 
prayer and meditation. There you must fetch 
the heavenly fire that must kindle your sacrifi- 
ces. Remember you cannot decline and neglect 
your duty to your own hurt alone; but many will 
be losers by it, as well as you. For your people's 
sake, therefore, look to your hearts. 

" And more particularly, methinks a minister 
should take some special pains with his heart be- 
fore he is to go to the congregation. If it be then 
cold, how is he like to warm the hearts of his 



EXHORTATIONS TO FIDELITY. 61 

hearers ? Go, therefore, then specially to God for 
life ; and read some rousing awakening book, or 
meditate on the weight of the subject that you 
are to speak of, and on the great necessity of 
your people's souls, that you may go in the zeal 
of the Lord into his house. 

" My next particular exhortation is this : 
Stir up yourselves to the great work of God, 
when you are upon it, and see that you do it with 
all your might. Though I move you not to a 
constant loudness, (for that will make your fer- 
vency contemptible,) yet see that you have a con- 
stant seriousness, and when the matter requireth 
it, (as it should do it, the application at least of 
every doctrine,) then lift up your voice, and spare 
not your spirits, and speak to them as to men that 
must be awakened either here or in hell. Look 
upon your congregations believingly, and with 
compassion, and think in what a state of joy or 
torment they must all be for ever; and then me- 
thinks it should make you earnest, and melt your 
heart in the sense of their condition . O speak 
not one cold or careless word about so great a 
business as heaven or hell ! Whatever you do, 
let the people see that you are in good earnest. 
Truly, brethren, they are great works that are to 
be done, and you must not think that trifling will 
dispatch them. You cannot break men's hearts 
by jesting with them, or telling them a smooth 
tale, or patching up a gaudy oration. Men will 



62 11ICHARD BAXTER. 

not cast away their dearest pleasures upon a 
drowsy request of one that seemeth not to mean 
as he speaks, or to care much whether his request 
be granted. If you say that the work is God's, 
and he may do it by the weakest means; I an- 
swer, it is true, he may do so; but yet his or- 
dinary way is to work by means; and to make not 
only the matter that is preached, but also the 
manner of preaching, to be instrumental to the 
work; or else it were a small matter whom he 
should employ, if a man would but speak the truth. 
If grace made as little use of the ministerial per- 
suasion as some conceive, we need not so much 
mind a reformation, nor cast out the insufficient. 
" A great matter also with the most of our 
hearers, doth lie in the very pronunciation and 
tone of speech. The best matter will scarce 
move them, if it be not movingly delivered. Es- 
pecially see that there be no affectation, but that 
we speak as familiarly to our people as we would 
do if we were talking to any of them personally. 
The want of a familiar tone and expression is as 
great a defect in most of our deliveries as any thing 
whatsoever, and that which we should be very 
careful to amend. When a man hath a reading 
or declaiming tone, like a school boy saying his 
lesson, or an oration, few are moved with any 
thing that he saith. Let us, therefore, rouse up 
ourselves to the work of the Lord, and speak to 
our people as for their lives, and save them as by 



EXHORTATIONS TO FIDELITY. 63 

violence, pulling them out of the fire. Satan will 
not be charmed out of his possession; we must 
lay siege to the souls of sinners, which are his 
garrisons, and find out where his chief strength 
lieth, and lay the battery of God's ordnance 
against it, and ply it close till a breach be made; 
and then suffer them not by their shifts to make 
it up again; but find out their common objections, 
and give them a full and satisfactory answer. 
We have reasonable creatures to deal with, and 
as they abuse their reason against the truth, so 
they will expect better reason for it before they 
will obey. We must, therefore, see that our ser- 
mons be all convincing; that we make the light 
of scripture and reason shine so bright in the 
faces of the ungodly, that it may even force them 
to see, unless they wilfully shut their eyes. A 
sermon, full of mere words, how neatly soever it 
be composed, while there is wanting the light of 
evidence, and the life of zeal, is but an image, or 
a well-dressed carcase. In preaching, there is 
intended a communion of souls, and a communi- 
cation of somewhat from ours to theirs. As 
we and they have understandings, and wills, and 
affections, so must the bent of our endeavours be 
to communicate the fullest light of evidence from 
our understandings into theirs, and to warm their 
hearts by kindling in them holy affections, as by 
a communication from ours. The great things 
which we have to commend to our hearers, have 



64 RICHARD BAXTER. 

reason enough on their side, and lie plain before 
them in the word of God; we should, therefore, 
be so furnished with all store of evidence, as to 
come with a torrent upon their understandings, 
and bear down all before us, and with our dilem- 
mas and expostulations to bring them to a non- 
plus, and pour out shame upon all their vain 
objections, that they may be forced to yield to 
the power of truth, and see that it is great, and 
will prevail. 

" Moreover, if you would prosper in your 
work be sure to keep up earnest desires and ex- 
pectations of success. If your hearts be not set 
on the end of your labours, and you long not to 
see the conversion and edification of your hear- 
ers, and do not study and preach in hope, you are 
not likely to see much fruit of it. It is an ill sign 
of a false self-seeking heart, that can be content 
to be still doing, and see no fruits of their labour; 
so I have observed that God seldom blesseth 
any man's work so much as his, whose heart is 
set upon the success; but let all that preach for 
Christ and men's salvation, be unsatisfied till they 
have the thing they preach for. He had never 
the right end of a preacher that is indifferent 
whether he is to obtain it, and is not grieved 
when he misseth it, and is not rejoiced when he 
can see the desired issue. When a man doth 
study only what to say, and how with commenda- 
tion to spend the hour, and looks no more after 

1 



EXHORTATIONS TO FIDELITY. 56 

it, unless it be to know what people think of his 
own abilities, and thus holds on from year to 
year ; I must needs think that this man doth 
preach for himself, and drive on a private trade 
of his own, and doth not preach for Christ even 
when he preacheth Christ, how excellently soever 
he may seem to do it. No wise or charitable 
physician is content to be still giving physic, and 
see no amendment among his patients, but have 
them all to die upon his hands. I know that a 
faithful minister may have comfort when he wants 
success; and though Israel be not gathered, our 
reward is with the Lord, and our acceptance is 
not according to the fruit, but according to our 
labour. But then, 1st, He that longeth not for 
the success of his labours, can have none of this 
comfort, because he is not a faithful labourer. 
This is only for them that I speak, who are set 
upon the end, and grieved that they miss it. And 
2d, This is not the full comfort that we must de- 
sire, but only such a part as may quiet us, though 
we miss the rest. 

" Again, Study to do well, as well as say well ; 
be zealous of good works. Spare not, for any 
cost, if it may promote your Master's work. 

" Maintain your innocency, and walk with- 
out offence. Let your lives condemn sin, and 
persuade men to duty. Would you have your 
people be more careful of their souls than you 
will be of yours ? If you would have them re- 



66 RICHARD BAXTER. 

deem their time, do not you mispend yours. If 
you would not have them vain in their conference, 
see that you speak yourselves the things which 
may edify, and tend to minister grace to your 
hearers. Order your own families well, if you 
would have them do so by theirs. Be not proud 
and lordly, if you would have them to be lowly. 
There is no virtue wherein your example will do 
more, at least, to abate men's prejudice, than 
humility, and meekness, and self-denial. Forgive 
injuries, and be not overcome of evil, but over- 
come evil with good; do as our Lord, who when 
he was reviled, reviled not again. If sinners be 
stubborn, and stout, and contemptuous, flesh and 
blood will persuade you to take up their weapons, 
and to master them by their carnal means; but 
that is not the way, (farther than necessary self- 
preservation or public good requireth it,) but over- 
come with kindness, and patience, and gentle- 
ness. The former may shew that you have more 
worldly power than they, (wherein yet they are 
ordinarily too hard for the faithful,) but it is the 
latter only that will tell them that you overtop 
them in spiritual excellency, and in the true 
qualifications of a saint. Contend then with 
charity, and not with violence, and set meekness, 
and love, and patience, against force. Remem- 
ber you are obliged to be the servants of all. 
Condescend to men of low estate; be not strange 
to the poor ones of your flock. They are apt to 



EXHORTATIONS TO FIDELITY. 67 

take your strangeness for contempt. Familiarity 
improved to holy ends, is exceeding necessary, 
and may do abundance of good. Speak not 
stoutly or disrespectfully to any one; but be 
courteous to the meanest, as your equal in Christ. 
A kind and winning carriage is a cheap way of 
advantage to do men good. 

" O brethren, what a blow may we give to the 
kingdom of darkness by the faithful and skilful 
managing of the ministerial work ! If then the sav- 
ing of souls, of your neighbours' souls, of many 
souls, from everlasting misery, be worth your la- 
bour; up and be doing. If the increase of the true 
church of Christ be desirable, this work is ex- 
cellent which is so likely to promote it. If you 
would be the fathers of many that shall be new- 
born to God, and would see the travail of your 
souls with comfort, and would be able to say at 
last, Here am I, and the children that thou hast 
given me; up then, and ply this blessed work. If 
it will do you good to see your holy converts 
among the saints in glory, and praising the Lamb 
before his throne; if you will be glad to present 
them blameless and spotless to Christ, be glad 
then of this singular opportunity that is offered 
you. If you are ministers of Christ indeed, you 
will long for the perfecting of his body, and the 
gathering in of his elect, and your hearts will be 
set upon it, and you will travail as in birth for 
them, till Christ be formed in them; and then 



68 RICHARD BAXTER. 

you will take such opportunities as your harvest 
time, and as the sun-shine days in a rainy har- 
vest, in which it is unreasonable and inexcusable 
to be idle. If you have any spark of Christian 
compassion in you, it will sure seem worth your 
utmost labour to save so many souls from death, 
and to cover so great a multitude of sins. If 
you are indeed co-workers with Christ, set then 
to his work, and neglect not the souls for whom 
he died. O remember when you are talking with 
the unconverted, that now there is an opportun- 
ity in your hands to save a soul, and to rejoice the 
angels of heaven, and to rejoice Christ himself, 
and that your work is to cast Satan out of a sin- 
ner, and to increase the family of God. And 
what is your own hope, or joy, or crown of re- 
joicing ; is not your saved people in the presence 
of Christ Jesus at his coming? Yea, doubtless, 
they are your glory and your joy, 1 Thess. ii. 19, 
20. 

" The second happy benefit of our work, if 
well managed, will be, The most orderly build- 
ing up of those that are converted, and the stab- 
lishing them in the faith. 

" A third benefit that may be expected by the 
well-managing of this work, is this : It will make 
our public preaching to be better understood and 
regarded. When you have acquainted them with 
the principles, they will the better understand all 
that you say. 



EXHORTATIONS TO FIDELITY. 69 

" Again, If you take frequent opportunities of 
personal conference with your people, it will be no 
contemptible benefit that, by this course, you will 
come to be familiar with them ; and, by means of 
these private instructions, you will come to be the 
better acquainted with each person's spiritual state, 
and so the better know how to watch over them, 
and carry yourselves towards them, ever after. We 
may know the better how to preach to them when 
we know their temper, and their chief objections, 
and so what they have most need to hear. We 
shall the better know wherein to be jealous of 
them, with a pious jealousy, and what temptations 
to help them most against. We shall the better 
know how to lament for them, and. to rejoice with 
them, and to pray for them to God. For as he 
that will rightly pray for himself, will know his 
own sores and wants, and the diseases of his own 
heart; so he that will rightly pray for others, 
should know theirs as far as he may, and as is 
meet. 

" Another benefit will be this: We shall by 
this means be the better enabled to help our 
people against particular temptations, and we 
shall much better prevent their entertainment of 
any particular errors or heresies, or their falling 
into schism, to the hazard of themselves and the 
church. 

" Another and one of the greatest benefits of 
our work will be this: It will better inform men 



™ RICHARD BAXTER. 

of the true nature of the ministerial office, or 
awaken them to better consideration of it than is 
now usual. It is now too common for men to 
think that the work of the ministry is nothing 
but to preach well, and to baptize, and administer 
the Lord's Supper, and visit the sick; and by this 
means the people will submit to no more, and too 
many ministers are negligently or wilfully such 
strangers to their own calling, that they will do 
no more. It hath oft grieved my heart to observe 
some eminent able preachers, how little they do 
for the saving of souls, save only in the pulpit; 
and to how little purpose much of their labour is, 
by this neglect. They have hundreds of people 
that they never spoke a word to personally for 
their salvation, and if we may judge by their prac- 
tice, they take it not for their duty; and the prin- 
cipal thing that hardeneth men in this oversight 
is the common neglect of the private part of the 
work by others. There are so few that do much 
in it, and the omission is grown so common 
among pious able men, that they haxe abated the 
disgrace of it by their parts, and a man may now 
be guilty of it, without any common observance 
or dishonour. Never doth sin so reign in a 
church or state as when it hath gained reputation, 
or, at least, is no disgrace to the sinner, nor a 
matter of any offence to beholders. But I make 
no doubt, through the mercy of God, but the re- 
stored practice of personal oversight will convince 
many ministers that this is as truly their work as 



EXHORTATIONS TO FIDELITY. 71 

that which they now do; and may awaken them 
to see that the ministry is another kind of busi- 
ness than too many excellent preachers do take it 
to be. Brethren, do but set yourselves closely to 
this work, and follow on diligently, and though 
you do it silently, without any words to them that 
are negligent, I am in hope that most of you here 
may live to see the day, that the neglect of private 
personal oversight of all the flock shall be taken 
for a scandalous and odious omission, and shall 
be as disgraceful to them that are guilty of it, as 
preaching but once a-day was heretofore. A 
schoolmaster must not only read a common lec- 
ture, but take a personal account of his scholars, 
or else he is like to do little good. If physicians 
should only read a public lecture of physic, their 
patients would not be much the better for them; 
nor would a lawyer secure your estate by reading 
a lecture of law. The charge of a pastor requir- 
eth personal dealing, as well as any of these. 
Let us shew the world this by our practice, for 
most men are grown regardless of bare words. 

" Another singular benefit which we may hope 
for from the faithful performance of this work is, 
that it will help our people better to understand 
the nature of their duty towards their overseers; 
and consequently to discharge it better. This 
were no matter if it were only for our sakes; but 
their own salvation is very much concerned in it. 
I am confident, by sad experience, that it is none 



72 RICHARD BAXTER. 

of the least impediments to their happiness, and 
to a true reformation of the church, that the peo- 
ple understand not what the work and power of 
a minister is, and what their own duty towards 
them is. They commonly think that a minister 
hath no more to do with them but to preach to 
them, and visit them in sickness, and administer 
sacraments; and that if they hear him, and re- 
ceive the sacrament from him, they owe no fur- 
ther obedience, nor can he require any more at 
their hands. Little do they know that the mini- 
ster is in the church, as the schoolmaster in his 
school, to teach and take an account of every one 
in particular, and that all Christians, ordinarily, 
must be disciples or scholars in some such school," 



We have the following observations from our 
author, when speaking of the importance of 

PERSONALLY VISITING THE PEOPLE, AND ENDEA- 
VOURING TO SECURE AN INTEREST IN THEIR AF- 
FECTIONS. 

" If ministers were content to purchase an inte- 
rest in their people at the dearest rates to their 
own flesh, and would condescend to them, and 
be familiar, and loving, and prudent in their car- 
riage, and abound, according to their ability, in 
good works, they might do much more with their 
people than ordinarily they can do. Not that we 



PASTORAL VISITATION. 73 

should much regard an interest in them for our 
own sakes, but that we may be more capable of 
promoting the interest of Christ, and of further- 
ing their own salvation. Were it not for their own 
sakes, it were no great matter whether they love 
or hate us. But what commander can do any great 
service by an army that hate him; and how can we 
think that they will much regard our counsel, 
while they abhor or disregard the persons that 
give it them ? Labour, therefore, for some com- 
petent interest in your people's estimation and 
affection, and then you may the better prevail 
with them. 

" And again, I must say that I think it an easier 
matter by far to compose and preach a good ser- 
mon, than to deal rightly with an ignorant man 
in private for his instruction in the necessary 
principles of religion. As much as this work is 
contemned by some, I doubt not but it will try 
the parts and spirits of ministers, and shew you 
the difference between one man and another more 
fully than pulpit preaching will do." 

— Referring to those who either avowedly make 
their being occupied with other engagements an 
excuse for omitting to visit their flocks, or secret- 
ly allow it to operate as one to their own minds, 
our author thus writes : — 

" For the matter of visitations and civilities, if 
they be for greater ends or use than our ministe- 
rial employments are, you may break a Sabbath 



74, RICHARD BAXTER. 

for them, you may forbear preaching for them, 
and so may forbear this private work. But if it 
be otherwise, how dare you make them a pretence 
to neglect so great a duty ? Must God wait on 
your friends ? What, if they be lords, or knights, 
or gentlemen ? Must they be served before God? 
Or is their displeasure or censure a greater hurt 
to you than God's displeasure? Or dare you 
think, when God shall question you for your ne- 
glects, to put him off with this excuse, 6 Lord, I 
would have spent more of my time in seeking 
men's salvation, but that such a gentleman, and 
such a friend, would have taken it ill, if I had not 
waited on them ?' If you yet seek to please man, 
you are no longer the servants of Christ. He 
that dares spend his life in flesh-pleasing and 
man-pleasing, is bolder than I am. And he that 
dares waste his time in compliments, doth little 
consider what he hath to do with it. O that I 
could but improve my time according to my con- 
victions of the necessity of improving it ! He that 
hath looked death in the face as oft as I have done, 
I will not thank him to value his time. I profess 
I am astonished at those ministers that have time 
to spare, that can hunt, or shoot, or bowl, or use 
the like recreations two or three hours, yea whole 
days almost together; that sit an hour together 
in vain discourses, and spend whole days in com- 
plimental visitations, and journeys, to such ends. 
Good Lord ! what do these men think on, when 



PASTORAL VISITATION. 73 

so many souls about them cry for their help, and 
death gives no respite, and they know not how short 
a time their people and they maybe together; when 
the smallest parish hath so much work that may 
employ all their diligence night and day. Bre- 
thren, I hope you are content to be plainly dealt 
with. If you have no sense of the worth of souls, 
and of the preciousness of that blood that was 
shed for them, and of the glory they are going to, 
and of the misery they are in danger of; then are 
you no Christians, and therefore very unfit to be 
ministers; and if you have, how can you find 
time for needless recreations, visitations, or dis- 
courses ? Dare you, like idle gossips, chat, and 
trifle away your time when you have such works 
as these to do, and so many of them ? O preci- 
ous time ! how swiftly doth it pass away ! how 
soon will it be gone ! What are the forty years 
of my life that are past ? Were every day as long 
as a month, me thinks it were too short for the 
work of a day. Have we not lost enough already 
in the days of our vanity ? Never do I come to 
a dying man that is not utterly stupid, but he bet- 
ter sees the worth of time. O then, if they could 
call time back again, how loud would they call ! 
If they could but buy it, what would they give 
for it ; and yet can we afford to trifle it away, 
yea, and to allow ourselves in this, and wilfully 
cast off the greatest works of God ? O what a 
befooling thing is sin, than can thus distract men 



76 RICHARD BAXTER. 

that seem so wise ! Is it possible that a man of 
any true compassion and honesty, or any care of 
his ministerial duty, or any sense of the strictness 
of his account, should have time to spare for idle- 
ness and vanity ? 

" May a physician, in the plague time, take any 
more relaxation or recreation than is necessary 
for his life, when so many are expecting his help 
in a case of life and death ? As his pleasure is 
not worth men's lives, so neither is yours worth 
men's souls. Suppose your cities were besieged, 
and the enemy on one side watching all advan- 
tages to surprise it, and on the other seeking to 
fire it with grenadoes which are cast in continual- 
ly, I pray you tell me now, if certain men under- 
take it as their office to watch the ports, and others 
to quench the fire that shall be kindled in the 
houses, what time will you allow these men for 
their recreation or relaxation ; when the city 
is in danger, or the fire will burn and prevail if 
they intermit their diligence ? Or would you ex- 
cuse one of these men if he came off his work, 
and said, I am but flesh and blood, I must have 
some pleasure or relaxation ? At the utmost, 
sure you would allow him none but of necessity. 

For as the physician's work is half done when 
he fully knows the disease, so when you are ac- 
quainted well with your people's case, you will 
know what to preach on ; and it will furnish you 
with matter to talk an hour with an ignorant or 



PASTORAL VISITATION. 77 

obstinate sinner, as much as an hour's study will 
do : for you will know what you have need to in- 
sist on, and what objections of theirs to repel." 



— In speaking of pastoral visitations our author 
suggests the following hints, as an example of 
the way in which the subject may be advan- 
tageously introduced. — 

" Neighbours, it may perhaps seem to some of 
you as an unusual, so a troublesome business, 
that I put you upon ; but I hope you will not 
think it needless : for if I had thought so, I 
should have spared you and myself the labour. 
But my conscience hath told me, — yea, God hath 
told me in his word, so roundly what it is to have 
the charge of men's souls, and how the blood of 
them that perish in their sins will be required at 
the hands of a minister that neglecteth them, that 
I dare not be so guilty of it as I have been. Alas ! 
all our business in this world is to get well to 
heaven; and God hath appointed us to be guides 
to his people, to help them safe thither. If this 
be well done, all is done; and if this be not done, 
we are for ever undone. The Lord knows how 
little a while I and you may be together; and, 
therefore, it concerns us to do what we can for 
our own and your salvation, before we leave you, 
or you leave the world. All other business in 
the world is but toys and dreams in comparison 
of this. The labours of your calling are but to 
prop up the cottages of your flesh, while you are 



78 RICHARD BAXTER. 

making ready for death and judgment; which, 
God knows, is near at hand. And I hope you 
will be glad of help in so needful a work, and not 
think it much that I put you to this trouble, when 
the trifles of the world will not be got without 
greater trouble. — This, some of this, or somewhat 
to this purpose, may tend to make them more 
willing to hear you, and receive instruction, or 
give you an account of their knowledge or prac- 
tice, which must be the work of the day. 

" But I may here add, that I find by experience, 
people will better take plain close dealing about 
their sin, and misery, and duty, when you have 
them alone, than they will before others; and if 
you have not opportunity to set it home, and deal 
freely with them, you will frustrate all." 



Respecting the example of Paul in the whole 
address to the elders of Ephesus, as mentioned, 
Acts xx. 19, our author thus writes : 

" O what a lesson is here before us; but how ill 
is it learned by those that still question whether to 
attend to it be their duty ! I confess, some of these 
words of Paul have so often been presented be- 
fore my eyes, and stuck upon my conscience, that 
I have been much convinced by them both of my 
duty and neglect. And I think this one speech 
better deserveth a twelvemonth's study, than most 
things that young students do lay out their time 
in. O, brethren, write it on your study doors, or 



PAULS EXAMPLE. 79 

set it as your copy, in capital letters, still before 
your eyes. Could we but well learn two or three 
lines of it, what preachers should we be. 1. For 
our general business — Serving the Lord with all 
humility of mind. 2. Our special work — Take 
heed to yourselves, and to all the flock. 3. Our 
doctrine — Repentance toward God, and faith to- 
ward our Lord Jesus Christ. 4. The place and 
manner of teaching — I have taught you publicly, 
and from house to house. 5. The object and in- 
ternal manner — I ceased not to warn every one 
night and day with tears. This is it that must 
win souls and preserve them. 6. His innocency 
and self-denial for the advantage of the gospel — 
I have coveted no man's silver or gold. 7. His 
patience — None of these things move me, neither 
count I my life dear. 8. And among all our 
motives, these have need to be hi capital letters 
before our eyes. 1. We oversee and feed the 
church of God, which he hath purchased with 
his own blood. 2. Grievous wolves shall enter 
in among you, not sparing the flock, and of your 
own selves shall men arise speaking perverse 
things, to draw away disciples after them. Write 
all this upon your hearts, and it will do yourselves 
and the church more good than twenty years 
study of those lower things, which, though they 
get you greater applause in the world, yet, separ- 
ated from these, will make you but sounding brass 
and tinkling cymbals." 

1 



80 RICHARD BAXTER. 

— The last quotations I introduce from the Re- 
formed Pastor, are the following observations on 

THE IMPORTANCE OF GREAT FIDELITY IN THE 
GOSPEL MINISTRY. 

" Great fidelity in the work of the ministry is 
absolutely necessary to the welfare of our people. 
How much it doth conduce to their salvation is 
manifest. Brethren, can you look believingly on 
your miserable neighbours, and not perceive them 
calling for your help ? There is not a sinner 
whose case you should not so far compassionate 
as to be willing to relieve them at dearer rates 
than this comes to. Can you see them as the 
wounded man by the way, and unmercifully pass 
by ? Can you hear them cry to you as the man 
of Macedonia to Paul in his vision, come and 
help us ; and yet will you refuse your help ? Are 
you entrusted with an hospital, where one lan- 
guished in one corner, and another groaneth in 
another, and crieth out, O help me, pity me, for 
the Lord's sake ; and a third, is raging mad, and 
would destroy himself and you, and yet will you 
sit idle, or refuse your help ? If it may be said of 
him that relieveth not men's bodies, how much 
more of them that relieve not men's souls, that if 
you see your brother has need, and shut up the 
bowels of your compassion from him, how dwell- 
eth the love of God in you ? You are not such 



OF MINISTERIAL FIDELITY. 81 

monsters, such hard-hearted men, but you will 
pity a leper, you will pity the naked, imprisoned, 
or desolate, you will pity him that is tormented 
with grievous pains or sickness; and will you not 
pity an ignorant hard-hearted sinner ? Will you 
not pity one that must be shut out from the 
presence of the Lord, and lie under his remedi- 
less wrath, if thorough repentance speedily pre- 
vent it not? O what a heart is it that will not 
pity such a one ! What shall I call the heart of 
such a man ; a heart of stone, or a very rock, or 
adamant, or the heart of a tiger, or rather the 
heart of an infidel ? for sure, if he believed the 
misery of the impenitent, it is not possible but he 
should have pity on him. Can you tell men 
in the pulpit that they shall certainly be damned 
unless they repent, and yet have no pity on them 
when you have proclaimed such a danger ? And 
if you pity them, will you not do this much for 
their salvation ? What abundance around a- 
bout you are blindly hastening to perdition, and 
your voice is appointed to be the means of re- 
claiming them. The physician hath no excuse 
who is doubly bound to relieve the sick, when 
every neighbour is to help them. Brethren, what 
if you have heard sinners cry after you in the 
streets, — ' O sir, have pity on me, and afford me 
your advice ; I am afraid of the everlasting wrath 
of God ! I know I must shortly leave this world, 
and I am afraid lest I shall be miserable in the 



82 RICHARD BAXTER. 

next.* — Could you deny your help to such a sin- 
ner? What if they came to your study door, and 
cried for help, and would not go away till you 
had told them how to escape the wrath of God : 
could you find in your hearts to drive them away 
without advice ? I am confident you could not. 
Why, alas ! such persons are less miserable than 
they that cannot cry for help. It is the harden- 
ed sinner, that cares not for your help, that most 
needeth it ; and he that hath not so much life as 
to feel that he is dead, nor so much light as to 
see his danger, nor so much sense left as to pity 
himself; this is the man that is most to be pitied. 
Look upon your neighbours round about you, 
and think what abundance need your help in no 
less a case than the apparent danger of damna- 
tion : and every impenitent person that you see, 
and know about you, suppose that you hear them 
thus cry to you for help,—' As ever you pitied poor 
wretches, pity us, lest we should be tormented in 
the flames of hell; if you have the hearts of men, 
pity us/ — and do that for them that you would do 
if they followed you with such complaints. O 
how can you walk, and talk, and be merry with 
such people, when you know their case? Me- 
thinks when you look them in the face, and think 
how they must lie in perpetual misery, you should 
break forth into tears, (as the prophet did when 
he looked upon Hazael,) and then fall on with the 
most importunate exhortations. When you must 



OF MINISTERIAL FIDELITY. 83 

visit them in their sickness, will it not wound your 
hearts to see them ready to depart into misery, 
before you have ever dealt seriously with them 
for their recovery ? O then, for the Lord's sake, 
and for the sake of poor souls, have pity on 
them, and bestir yourselves, and spare no pains 
that may conduce to their salvation. 

And I must further tell you, that this minis- 
terial fidelity is necessary to your own welfare, as 
well as to your people's. For this is your work, 
according to which, among others, you shall be 
judged. You can no more be saved without 
ministerial diligence and fidelity, than they or 
you can be saved without Christian diligence and 
fidelity. If you care not for others, at least care 
for yourselves. O what is it to answer for the 
neglect of such a charge ; and what sins more 
heinous than the betraying of souls. Doth not 
that threatening make us tremble ; — If thou warn 
not the wicked, their blood will I require at thy 
hands. — I am afraid, nay, I am past doubt, that 
the day is near, when unfaithful ministers will 
wish that they had never known their charge; 
but that they had rather been colliers, or tinkers, 
or sweepers of channels, than pastors of Christ's 
flock : when, besides all the rest of their sins, 
they shall have the blood of so many souls to an- 
swer for. O brethren, our death, as well as our 
people's, is at hand; and it is as terrible to an- 
unfaithful pastor as to any. When we see that 



81 RICHARD BAXTER. 

die we must, and there is no remedy, no wit or 
learning, no credit or popular applause can put 
by the stroke, or delay the time; but willing, or 
unwilling, our souls must be gone, and that into 
a world that we never saw, where our persons 
and worldly interests will not be respected. O 
then, for a clear conscience, that can say, I lived 
not to myself but to Christ; I spared not my 
pains, I hid not my talent, I concealed not men's 
misery, nor the way of their recovery. O sirs, 
let us therefore take time when we may have it, 
and work while it is day, for the night cometh 
when none can work. This is our day too, and 
by doing good to others we must do good to our- 
selves. If you would prepare for a comfortable 
death, and a sure and great reward, the harvest 
is before you; gird up the loins of your minds, 
and quit yourselves like men; that you may end 
your days with that confident triumph, — ' I have 
fought a good fight, I have kept the faith, I have 
finished my course; henceforth is laid up for me 
a crown of righteousness, which God, the right- 
eous Judge, shall give me/ — And if you would be 
blessed with those that die in the Lord, labour 
now that you may rest from your labours then, 
and do such works as you would wish should 
follow you, and not such as will prove your ter- 
ror in the review. 

" O happy church, if the physicians were but 
healed themselves ! and if we had not too much 



OF MINISTERIAL FIDELITY. 85 

of that infidelity and stupidity which we daily 
preach against in others ; and were more soundly 
persuaded of that which we persuade men of, and 
more deeply affected with the wonderful things 
wherewith we would affect them ! Were there 
but such clear and deep impressions upon our 
souls of those glorious things that we daily preach, 
O what a change would it make in our sermons, 
and in our private course ! O what a miserable 
thing it is to the church, and to themselves, that 
men must preach of heaven and hell before they 
soundly believe that there are such things; or have 
felt the weight of the doctrines which they preach ! 
It would amaze a sensible man to think what 
matter we preach and talk of: what it is for the 
soul to pass out of this flesh, and go before a 
righteous God, and enter upon unchangeable joy 
or torment. O with what amazing thoughts do 
dying men apprehend those things ! How should 
such matters be preached and discoursed of! O 
the gravity, the seriousness, the incessant dili- 
gence that these things require ! I know not 
what others think of them, but, for my part, I 
am ashamed of my stupidity, and wonder at my- 
self that I deal not with my own and others souls 
as one that looks for the great day of the Lord ; 
and that I can have room for almost any other 
thoughts or words, and that such astonishing 
matters do not wholly take me up. I marvel how 
I can preach of them slightly and coldly ; and 



86 RICHARD BAXTER. 

how I can let men alone in their sins ; that I do 
not go to them and beseech them, for the Lord's 
sake, to repent, however they take it, and what- 
ever pains or trouble it should cost me. I sel- 
dom come out of the pulpit but my conscience 
smiteth that I have been no more serious and fer- 
vent in such a case. 

It accuseth me not so much for want of hu- 
man ornaments or elegancy, nor for letting fall 
an unhandsome word ; but it asketh me ; — 6 How 
could st thou speak of life and death with such a 
heart ? How couldst thou preach of heaven and 
hell in such a careless sleepy manner? Dost 
thou believe what thou sayest ? Art thou in ear- 
nest or in jest ? How canst thou tell people that 
sin is such a thing, and that so much misery is 
upon them and before them, and be no more af- 
fected with it ? Shouldst thou not weep over such 
a people, and should not thy tears interrupt thy 
words? Shouldst thou not cry aloud and shew 
them their transgressions, and intreat and be- 
seech them as for life and death ?' — Truly this is 
the peal that conscience doth ring in my ears, 
and yet my drowsy soul will not be awakened. 
O what a thing is a senseless hardened heart ! 
O Lord save us from the plague of infidelity and 
hard-heartedness ourselves, or else how shall we 
be fit instruments for saving others from it ? O 
do that on our own souls which thou wouldst use 
us to do on the souls of others. I am even con- 



OF MINISTERIAL FIDELITY. 87 

founded to think what difference there is between 
my sickness-apprehensions, and my pulpit and 
discoursing apprehensions of the life to come ; 
that ever that can seem so light a matter to me 
now, which seemeth so great and astonishing a 
matter then ; and I know will do so again, when 
death looks me in the face, when yet I daily 
know and think of that approaching hour. And 
yet those forethoughts will not recover such 
working apprehensions. 

" O brethren, sure if you had all conversed 
with neighbour death as oft as I have done, and 
as often received the sentence in yourselves, 
you would have an unquiet conscience, if not 
a reformed life in your ministerial diligence and 
fidelity ; and you would have something within 
you that would frequently ask you such ques- 
tions as these : — 'Is this all thy compassion 
on lost sinners ? Wilt thou do no more to seek 
and to save them? Is there not such, and such, 
and such a one, O how many round about thee, 
that are yet the visible sons of death? What 
hast thou said to them or done for their recove- 
ry ? Shall they die and be in hell before thou 
wilt speak to them one serious word to prevent 
it ? Shall they curse thee for ever, that didst no 
more in time to save them?' — Such cries of con- 
science are daily in my ears, though the Lord 
knows I have too little obeyed them. The God 
of Mercy pardon me and awake me, with the rest 



88 RICHARD BAXTER. 

of his servants that have been thus sinfully negli- 
gent. I confess to my shame that I seldom hear 
the bell toll for one that is dead, but conscience 
asketh me, — 4 What hast thou done for the saving 
of that soul before it left the body ?' Here is one 
more gone to judgment; what didst thou to pre- 
pare him for judgment? — And yet I have been 
slothful and backward to help the rest that do 
survive. How can you choose, when you are 
laying a corpse in the grave, but think with your- 
selves, — Here lieth the body, but where is the 
soul ? and what have I done for it before it de- 
parted ? It was part of my charge, what account 
can I give of it ? — O sirs, is it a small matter to 
you to answer such questions as these ? It may 
seem so now, but the hour is coming when it will 
not seem so. 

" If our hearts condemn us, God is greater 
than our hearts, and will condemn us much 
more, even with another kind of condemnation 
than conscience doth. The voice of conscience 
now is a still small voice, and the sentence of 
conscience is a gentle sentence in comparison 
of the voice and sentence of God. Alas ! con- 
science seeth but a very little of our sin and 
misery in comparison of what God seeth. What 
mountains would these things appear to your 
souls which now seem mole-hills I What beams 
would these be in your eyes that now seem motes, 
if you did but see them with a clearer light ! I 



OF MINISTERIAL FIDELITY. 89 

dare not say as God seeth them. We can easily 
make shift to plead the cause with conscience, 
and either bribe it or bear its sentence ; but God 
is not so easily dealt with, nor his sentence so 
easily borne. ' Wherefore, we receiving (and 
preaching) a kingdom that cannot be moved, let 
us have grace, whereby we may serve God ac- 
ceptably, with reverence and godly fear ; for our 
God is a consuming fire.' Heb. xii. ult." 



DR. ISAAC WATTS. 



The following extracts are taken from a work 
of Dr. Watts, entitled " An Humble Attempt 
toward the revival of Practical Religion among 
Christians ; and particularly the Protestant Dis- 
senters, by a serious address to Ministers and 
People, in some occasional discourses." The con- 
tents of the first part of this small volume, en- 
titled " An Exhortation to Ministers," the au- 
thor informs us, he intended to deliver at the or- 
dination of Mr. John Oakes. But being pre- 
vented from doing so by indisposition, he com- 
mitted to paper the observations he intended to 
address to the minister, who, when he saw them, 
earnestly pressed their publication. 

The exhortation to ministers is founded on 
Col. iv. 17. " Take heed to the ministry which 
thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil 
it." 



92 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

The first extracts relate to 

THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL RELIGION IN THE 
MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL. 

" Take heed, therefore, to your own practical 
and vital religion, — as to the truth, reality, and 
evidence of it, — as to the liveliness and power of 
it, — as to the growth and increase of it. 

" I. Take heed to your own practical religion, 
as to the truth and reality of it, and the clear and 
undoubted evidence of it to your own conscience. 
Give double diligence to make your calling and 
election sure. See to it with earnest solicitude, 
that you be not mistaken in so necessary and im- 
portant a concern ; for a minister who preaches 
up the religion of Christ, yet has no evidence of 
it in his own heart, will lie under vast discourage- 
ments in his work ; and if he be not a real Christ- 
ian himself, he will justly fall under double dam- 
nation. Keep a constant holy jealousy over your 
own soul, lest while you preach to the eternal sal- 
vation of others, yourself become a castaway, or 
disapproved of God, and for ever banished from 
his presence. 1 Cor. ix. 27. 

" Call your own soul often to account; examine 
the temper, the frame, and the motions of your 
heart with all holy severity, so that the evidences 
of your faith in Jesus, and your repentance for 
sin, and your conversion to God, be many and 
fair, be strong and unquestionable ; that you may 
walk on with courage and joyful hope toward 



OF PERSONAL RELIGION. 93 

heaven, and lead on the flock of Christ thither 
with holy assurance and joy. 

" II. Take heed to your own religion, as to the 
liveliness and power of it. Let it not be a sleepy 
thing in your bosom, but sprightly and active, 
and always awake. Keep your own soul near 
God in the way in which you first came near him, 
i. e. by the mediation of Jesus Christ. Let no 
distance or estrangement grow between God and 
you, between Christ and you. Maintain much 
converse with God by prayer, by reading his 
word, by holy meditation, by heavenly-minded- 
ness, and universal holiness in the frame and 
temper of your own spirit. Converse with God 
and with your own soul in the duties of secret 
religion, and walk always in the world as under 
the eye of God. Every leader of the flock of God 
should act as Moses did, should live as seeing 
him that is invisible. Heb. xi. 27. 

" III. Take heed to your personal religion, as 
to the growth and increase of it. Let it be ever 
upon the advancing hand. Be tenderly sensible 
of every wandering affection toward vanity, every 
deviation from God and your duty, every rising 
sin, every degree of growing distance from God. 
Watch and pray much, and converse much with 
God, as one of his ministering angels in flesh and 
blood, and grow daily in conformity to God and 
your blessed Saviour, who is the first minister of 
his father's kingdom, and the fairest image of his 
father. 



M, DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

" Such a conduct will have several happy in- 
fluences towards the fulfilling of your ministry, 
and will render you more fit for every part of 
your public ministrations. 

" 1. Hereby you will improve in your acquaint- 
ance with divine things, and the spiritual parts 
of religion, that you may better teach the people 
both truth and duty. Those who are much with 
God may expect and hope that he will teach them 
the secrets of his covenant, and the ways of his 
mercy, by communications of divine light to their 
spirits. The secret of the Lord is with them 
that fear him, and he will shew them his coven- 
ant. Psalm xxv. 14. Luther used to say, that he 
got more knowledge in a short time by prayer 
sometimes, than by the study and labour of many 
hours. 

" 2. Hereby you will be more fit to speak to the 
great God at all times, as a son with holy confi- 
dence in him as your father, and you will be bet- 
ter prepared to pray with and for the people. 
You will have an habitual readiness for the work, 
and increase in the gift of prayer. You will ob- 
tain a treasure and fluency of sacred language, 
suited to address God on all occasions. 

" Hereby you will gain a freedom and interest 
at the throne of grace, and become a more pow- 
erful intercessor, for your people, under the in- 
fluence of Jesus the great intercessor, who is ever 
near the throne ; and be sure you improve your 



OF PERSONAL RELIGION. 95 

interest in heaven, for the edification of those who 
are committed to your care. 

" 3. Hereby you will be kept near to the spring 
of all grace, to the fountain of strength and com- 
fort in your work: you will be ever deriving fresh 
anointings, fresh influences, daily lights and pow- 
ers, to enable you to go through all the difficul- 
ties and labours of your sacred office. 

" 4. Hereby, when you come among men in 
your sacred ministrations, you will appear, and 
speak, and act like a man come from God, like 
Moses with a lustre upon his face, when he had 
conversed with God, like a minister of the court 
of heaven employed in a divine office, like a mes- 
senger of grace who hath just been with God, 
and received instructions from him; and the world 
will take cognizance of you, as they did of the 
apostles, that they were men who had been with 
Jesus. Acts iv. 13. 

" 5. This will better furnish you for serious con- 
verse with the souls and consciences of men, by 
giving you experimental acquaintance with the 
things of religion, as they are transacted in the 
heart. You will learn more of the springs of sin 
and holiness, the workings of nature and grace, 
the deceitfulness of sin, the subtilty of tempta- 
tion, and the holy skill of counter-working the 
snares of sin, and the devices of Satan, and all 
their designs to ruin the souls of men. You will 
speak with more divine compassion to wretched 
and perishing mortals, with more life and power 



96 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

to stupid sinners, with more sweetness and com- 
fort to awakened consciences, and with more aw- 
ful language and influence to backsliding Christ- 
ians. 

" You will hereby learn to preach more power- 
fully in all respects for the salvation of men, and 
talk more feelingly on every sacred subject, when 
the power and sense and life of godliness are kept 
up in your own spirit. Then you may speak 
from your own experience, and borrow the lan- 
guage of David the prophet, and of St. Paul and 
St. John, two great apostles : c I have believed, 
therefore I have spoken ; what I have heard and 
learned from Christ I have declared unto you ; 
what I have seen and felt I am bold to speak ; at- 
tend and I will tell you what God has done for 
my soul.' You may then convince, direct, and 
comfort others by the same words of light and 
power, of precept and promise, of joy and hope, 
which have convinced, directed, and comforted 
you : a word coming from the heart will sooner 
reach the heart." 



The following paragraphs relate to 



After speaking of other subjects of study, our 
author thus proceeds : — 

" But amongst all these inquiries and studies, 
and these various improvements of the mind, let 



PRIVATE STUDIES, 97 

us take heed that none of them carry our thoughts 
away too far from our chief and glorious design, 
that is the ministry of the gospel of Christ. Let 
none of them intrench upon those hours which 
should be devoted to our study of the Bible, or 
preparations for the pulpit : and wheresoever we 
find our inclination too much attached to any 
particular human science, let us set a guard upon 
ourselves, lest it rob us of our diviner studies, 
and our best improvement. A minister should 
remember, that himself with all his studies, is 
consecrated to the service of the sanctuary : let 
every thing be done, therefore, with a view to 
our great end : let all the rest of our knowledge 
be like lines drawn from the vast circumference 
of universal nature, pointing to that divine centre, 
God and religion : and let us pursue every part 
of science with a design to gain better qualifica- 
tions thereby for our sacred work. 

" 2dly, I come to speak of those particular 
studies which are preparative for the public work 
of the pulpit ; and here, when you retire to com- 
pose a sermon, let your great end be ever kept in 
view, i. e. to say something for the honour of 
God, for the glory of Christ, for the salvation of 
the souls of men ; and for this purpose a few rules 
may perhaps be of some service. 

" One great and general rule is, ask advice of 
heaven by prayer about every part of your pre- 
parative studies ; seek the direction and assist- 

H 



98 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

ance of the spirit of God, for inclining your 
thoughts to proper subjects, for guiding you to 
proper scriptures, and framing your whole ser- 
mon, both as to the matter and manner, that it 
may attain the divine and sacred ends proposed. 
But I insist not largely on this here, because pray- 
er for aids and counsels from heaven belongs to 
every part of your work, both in the closet, in 
the pulpit, and in your daily conversation. 

" The particular rules for your preparatory 
work may be such as these. 

" I. In choosing your texts, or themes of dis- 
course, seek such as are most suited to do good 
to souls, according to the present wants, dangers, 
and circumstances of the people ; whether for the 
instruction of the ignorant, for the conviction of 
the stupid and senseless, for the melting and soft- 
ening the obstinate, for the conversion of the 
wicked, for the edification of converts, for the 
comfort of the timorous and mournful, for gentle 
admonition of backsliders, or more severe re- 
proof. Some acquaintance with the general case 
and character of your hearers is needful for this 
end. 

" II. In handling the text, divide, explain, il- 
lustrate, prove, convince, infer, and apply in such 
a manner, as to do real service to men, and ho- 
nour to our Lord Jesus Christ. Do not say with- 
in yourself, how much or how elegantly I can 
talk upon such a text, but what I can say most 



PRIVATE STUDIES. 99 

usefully to those who hear me, for the instruction 
of their minds, for the conviction of their con- 
sciences, and for the persuasion of their hearts ? 
Be not fond of displaying your learned criticisms 
in clearing up the terms and phrases of a text, 
where scholars only can be edified by them ; nor 
spend away the precious moments of the congre- 
gation, in making them hear you explain what is 
clear enough before, and hath no need of ex- 
plaining ; nor in proving that which is so obvious 
that it wants no proof. This is little better than 
trifling with God and man. 

" Think not how can I make a sermon soonest 
and easiest ? but how I can make the most pro- 
fitable sermon for my hearers : not what fine 
things I can say, either in a way of criticism or 
philosophy, or in a way of oratory and harangue, 
but what powerful words I can speak to impress 
the consciences of them that hear with a serious 
and lasting sense of moral, divine, and eternal 
things. Judge wisely what to leave out as well 
as what to speak. Let not your chief design be 
to work up a sheet, or to hold out an hour, but 
to save a soul. 

" III. In speaking of the great things of God 
and religion, remember you are a minister of 
Christ and the gospel, sent to publish to men 
what God has revealed by his prophets and apos- 
tles and by his Son Jesus ; and not a heathen 
philosopher to teach the people merely what the 



100 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

light of reason can search out: you are not to 
stand up here as a professor of ancient or modern 
philosophy, nor an usher in the school of Plato 
or Seneca, or Mr. Locke, but as a teacher in the 
school of Christ, as a preacher of the New Tes- 
tament. You are not a Jewish priest to instruct 
men in the precise niceties of the legal rites and 
ceremonies of ancient Judaism; but you are a 
Christian minister; let Christianity, therefore, run 
through all your composures, and spread its glo- 
ries over them all." 



Under the head of 

THE COMPOSITION OF SERMONS 

we have the following remarks : — 

" If you speak of our natural knowledge of the 
attributes of God, and the truths of religion that 
reason dictates, show how they are all exalted, 
how brightly they shine in the gospel of Christ, 
and what new discoveries and new glories relat- 
ing to them are derived from the holy scrip- 
tures. 

" If you speak of the duties which men owe 
to God or to one another, even those which are 
found out by reason and natural conscience, show 
how the gospel of Christ hath advanced and re- 
fined every thing that nature and reason teach 
us : enforce these duties by motives of Christ- 



COMPOSITION OF SERMONS. 101 

ianity as well as by philosophical arguments 
drawn from the nature of things: stir up the 
practice of them by the examples of Christ and 
his apostles, by that heaven and that hell which 
are revealed to the world by Jesus Christ our Sa- 
viour : impress them on the heart by the con- 
straining influences of the mercy of God, and the 
dying love of our Lord Jesus Christ, by his glo- 
rious appearance to judge the living and the dead, 
and by our blessed hope of attending him on that 
day. These are the appointed arguments of our 
holy religion and may expect more divine suc- 
cess. 

" When you have occasion to represent what 
need there is of diligence and labour in the du- 
ties of holiness, show also what aids are promised 
in the gospel to humble and feeble souls who are 
sensible of their own frailty to resist temptations, 
or to discharge religious and moral duties ; and 
what influences of the holy spirit may be expect- 
ed by those who seek it. Let them know that 
Christ is exalted to send forth this spirit, to be- 
stow repentance and san education as well as for- 
giveness, for without him we can do nothing. 
Acts v. 31. John xv. 5. 

" If you would raise the hearts of your hearers 
to a just and high esteem of this gospel of grace, 
and impress them with an awful sense of the di- 
vine importance and worth of it, be not afraid to 
lay human nature low, and to represent it in its 



102 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

ruins by the fall of the first Adam. It is the vain 
exaltation of ruined nature that makes the gospel 
so much despised in our age. Labour, therefore, 
to make them see and feel the deplorable state of 
mankind as described in scripture, that by one 
man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, 
and a sentence of death hath passed upon all men, 
for that all have sinned. Let them hear and 
know that Jews and Gentiles are all under sin ; 
that there is none righteous, no, not one ; that 
every mouth may be stopped, and all the world 
may appear guilty before God. Let them know 
that it is not in man that walketh to direct his 
steps ; that we are not sufficient of ourselves to 
think any good thing; that we are without 
strength, alienated from the life of God through 
the ignorance and darkness of our understand- 
ings, and are by nature children of disobedience, 
and children of wrath; that we are unable to re- 
cover ourselves out of these depths of wretched- 
ness without the condescensions of divine grace ; 
and that the gospel of Christ is introduced as the 
only sovereign remedy and relief under all this 
desolation of nature, this overwhelming distress ; 
neither is there salvation in any other, for there 
is none other name under heaven given among 
men whereby we must be saved. Acts iv. 12. 
And they that wilfully and obstinately reject this 
message of divine love, must perish without re- 
medy and without hope; for there remains no 



COMPOSITION OF SERMONS. 103 

more sacrifice for sin, but a certain fearful ex- 
pectation of vengeance. Heb. x. 26. 

" By this conduct you will approve yourself 
to be a faithful messenger of Christ in good ear- 
nest, a minister of the New Testament, and a 
workman that needs not to be ashamed, if you 
take special seasons to discover to men what the 
word of God reveals concerning their misery, and 
declare to them the whole counsel of God for 
their salvation. 

" I entreat you, my dear friend and brother, to 
get it deeply imprest on your heart, that as (I 
believe) your real and sincere design is to save 
the souls of men from sin and eternal death, so 
it is the gospel of Christ which is the only instru- 
ment whereby you can ever hope to attain this 
blessed end, and that for two reasons. 

" Let me proceed yet further and say, had you 
the fullest acquaintance that ever man acquired 
with all the principles and duties of natural reli- 
gion, both in its regard to God and to your fel- 
low-creatures, had you the skill and tongue of an 
angel to range all these in their fairest order, to 
place them in their fullest light, and to pronounce 
and represent the whole law of God with such 
force and splendour to a British auditory as was 
done to the Israelites at Mount Sinai, you might 
perhaps lay the consciences of men under deep 
conviction, for by the law is the knowledge of 
sin: but I am fully persuaded you would never 



104 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

reconcile one soul to God, you would never 
change the heart of one sinner, nor bring him 
into the favour of God, nor fit him for the joys 
of heaven, without this blessed gospel which is 
committed to your hands. 

" The great and glorious God is jealous of his 
own authority, and of the honour of his Son Je- 
sus ; nor will he condescend to bless any other 
methods for obtaining so divine an end than what 
he himself has prescribed ; nor will his holy spi- 
rit, whose office is to glorify Christ, stoop to con- 
cur with any other sort of means for the saving 
of sinners where the name and offices of his Son, 
the only appointed Saviour, are known, and de- 
spised and neglected. It is the gospel alone that 
is the power of God to salvation. If the pro- 
phets will not stand in his counsel, nor cause the 
people to hear his words, they will never be able 
to turn Israel from the iniquity of their ways, nor 
the evil of their doings, Jerem, xxiii. 22." 



Referring to the great importance of preachers 
bringing prominently forward in their discourses, 
the leading doctrines of the gospel, our author 
thus expresses himself: — 

" Let me here inquire, Are all the hearers that 
make up our public assemblies so well acquaint- 
ed with the doctrines of Christ and the gospel in 
our day, that they have no need to be taught 



COMPOSITION OF SERMONS. 105 

them ? Have they all enjoyed so happy an edu- 
cation from their infancy, as to understand the 
principles of the Christian religion, and the pe- 
culiar articles of the faith which are so necessary 
to restore sinners to a divine life ? Do they so 
much as know that they are by nature dead in 
trespasses and sins ? And do they know how to 
apply those vital truths to the blessed purposes 
of godliness ? I am sure when we make particular 
inquiries we find many of them ignorant enough 
both of themselves and their Saviour, and they 
have need to be taught the first principles of the 
oracles of God, and the faith of Jesus. 

" Wheresoever this gospel is published with 
clear and proper evidence, the belief of it is made 
necessary to salvation, and it is part of the com- 
mission of ministers to make known this to the 
people. Nor is there any thing else which can 
stand in the room and stead of this gospel, or at- 
tain those happy purposes for which this holy in- 
stitution was designed. Unless, therefore, you 
have such an high esteem for the gospel of Christ, 
and such a sense of its divine worth and power 
as to take it along with you when you desire to 
save souls, you had better lay down the ministry 
and abandon your sacred profession ; for you will 
but spend your strength for nought, and waste 
your breath in vain declamations : you will nei- 
ther save your own soul, nor them that hear you ; 
and you will have a terrible account to give at 



106 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

the last day what you have done with this gospel 
which was intrusted with you for the salvation of 
men. You have hid this divine talent in the 
earth ; you have traded entirely with your own 
stock ; you have compassed yourself about with 
sparks of light of your own kindling, and you 
must lie down in sorrow with eternal loss. — 

" I persuade myself that you all join with me 
in this sentiment, that if ever we are so happy 
as to reform the lives of our hearers, to convert 
their hearts to God, and to train them up for 
heaven, it must be done by the principles of the 
gospel of Christ. On the occasion of such an head 
of advice, therefore, I assure myself you will for- 
give these warm emotions of spirit. Can there 
be any juster cause or season to exert fervour and 
zeal, than while we are pleading for the name, 
and honour, and kingdom of our adored Jesus ? 
Let him live, let him reign for ever exalted on his 
throne of glory ; let him live upon our lips and 
reign in all our ministrations ; let him live in the 
hearts of all our hearers ; let him live and reign 
through Great Britain, and through all the na- 
tions, till iniquity be subdued, till the kingdom of 
Satan be destroyed, and the whole world are be- 
come willing subjects to the sceptre of his grace ! 

" IV. In addressing your discourse to your 
hearers, remember to distinguish the different 
characters of saints and sinners, the converted 
and the unconverted, the sincere Christian and 

2 



COMPOSITION OF SERMONS. 107 

the formal professor, the stupid and the awaken- 
ed, the diligent and backsliding, the fearful or 
humble soul, and the obstinate and presumptuous: 
and in various seasons introduce a word for each 
of them. Thus you will divide the word of God 
aright, and give every one their portion. 2 Tim. 
ii. 15. 

" The general way of speaking to all persons in 
one view, and under one character, as though all 
your hearers were certainly true Christians, and 
converted already, and wanted only a little further 
reformation of heart and life, is too common in the 
world, but I think it is a dangerous way of preach- 
ing. It hath a powerful and unhappy tendency 
to lull unregenerate sinners asleep in security, to 
flatter and deceive them with dreams of happiness, 
and make their consciences easy without a real 
conversion of heart to God. 

" Let your hearers know that there is a vast and 
unspeakable difference betwixt a saint and a sin- 
ner, one in Christ and one out of Christ ; between 
one whose heart is in the state of corrupt nature 
or unrenewed, and one that is in a state of grace 
and renewed to faith and holiness ; between one 
who is only born of the flesh, and is a child of 
wrath, and one who is born again, or born of the 
Spirit, and is become a child of God, a member of 
Christ, and an heir of heaven. Let them know 
that this distinction is great, and necessary ; and 
it is not made (as some have imagined) by the 



108 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

water of baptism, but by the operation of the 
word and spirit of God on the hearts of men, and 
by their diligent attendance on all the appointed 
means and methods of converting grace. It is a 
most real change, and of infinite importance; and 
however it has been derided by men, it is glori- 
ous in the eyes of God, and it will be made to ap- 
pear so at the last day in the eyes of men and an- 
gels. But it will bring with it infinite terror to 
those who thought themselves safe in a common 
careless profession of Christianity, without any 
inward and divine change of heart. 

" V. Lead your hearers wisely into the know- 
ledge of the truth, and teach them to build their 
faith upon solid grounds. Let them know why 
they are Christians, that they may be firmly esta- 
blished in the belief and profession of the religion 
of Christ — that they may be guarded against all 
the assaults of temptation and infidelity in this 
evil day, and may be able to render a reason of 
the hope that is in them : furnish them with argu- 
ments in opposition to the rude cavils and blas- 
phemies which are frequently thrown out in the 
world, against the name and doctrines of the holy 
Jesus. 

" Let the great, the most important, and most 
necessary articles of our religion be set before 
your hearers in their fairest light. Convey them 
into the understandings of those of meanest capa- 
city, by condescending sometimes to plain and fa- 



COMPOSITION OF SERMONS. 109 

miliar methods of speech ; prove these important 
doctrines and duties to them by all proper rea- 
sons and arguments : but as to the introducing of 
controversies into the pulpit, be not fond of it, 
nor frequent in it. In your common course of 
preaching avoid disputes, especially about things 
of less importance, without an apparent call of 
providence. Religious controversies, frequently 
introduced without real necessity, have an unhap- 
py tendency to hurt the spirit of true godliness, 
both in the hearts of preachers and hearers. 
1 Tim. iv. 7. 

" And have a care of laying too much stress on 
the peculiar notions and terms and phrases of 
the little sects and parties in Christianity. Take 
heed that you do not make your hearers bigots 
and uncharitable while you endeavour to make 
them knowing Christians. Establish them in all 
the chief and most important articles of the gos- 
pel of Christ, without endeavouring to render 
those who differ from you odious in the sight of 
your hearers. Whensoever you are constrained 
to declare your disapprobation of particular opi- 
nions, keep up and manifest your love to the per- 
sons of those who espouse them, and especially 
if they are persons of virtue and piety. 

" VI. Do not content yourself to compose a ser- 
mon of mere doctrinal truths and articles of be- 
lief, but into every sermon, if possible, bring 
something practical. It is true, knowledge is the 



110 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

foundation of practice ; the head must be furnish- 
ed with a degree of knowledge or the heart can- 
not be good : but take heed that dry specula- 
tions and mere schemes of orthodoxy do not take 
up too large a part of your composures ; and be 
sure to impress it frequently on your hearers, that 
holiness is the great end of all knowledge, and 
of much more value than the sublimest specula- 
tions ; nor is there any doctrine but what requires 
some correspondent practice of piety or virtue. 

"And, among the practical parts of Christianity, 
sometimes make it your business to insist on those 
subjects which are inward and spiritual, and which 
go by the name of experimental religion. Now 
and then take such themes as these, viz. the first 
awakenings of the conscience of a sinner by some 
special and awful providence ; by some particular 
passages in the word of God, in pious writings, 
or public sermons; the inward terrors of mind 
and fears of the wrath of God which sometimes 
accompany such awakenings ; the temptations 
which arise to divert the mind from them, and to 
sooth up the sinner in the course of his iniquities ; 
the inward conflicts of the spirit in these seasons ; 
the methods of relief under such temptations ; the 
arguments that may fix the heart and will for God 
against all the enticements and oppositions of the 
world ; the labours of the conscience fluctuating 
between hope and fear; the rising and working 
of indwelling sin in the heart ; the subtile excuses 



COMPOSITION OF SERMONS. Ill 

framed by the flesh for the indulgence of it ; the 
peace of God derived from the gospel, allaying 
the inward terrors of the soul under a sense of 
guilt; the victories obtained over strong corrup- 
tions and powerful temptations by the faith of 
unseen things — by repeated addresses to God in 
prayer — by trusting in Jesus, the great mediator, 
who is made of God to us wisdom and righteous- 
ness, sanctification and redemption. 

" While you are treating on these subjects, give 
me leave to put you again in mind that it will 
sometimes have a very happy influence on the 
minds of hearers, to speak what you have learnt 
from your own experience, or to tell them what 
you have borrowed from the experience of others, 
ancient or modern, who have passed through the 
same trials — who have wrestled with the same 
corruptions of nature — who have grappled with 
the same difficulties — and at last have been made 
conquerors over the same temptations. As face 
answers face in the glass, so the heart of one man 
answers to another, and the workings of the dif- 
ferent principles of flesh and spirit, corrupt na- 
ture and renewing grace, have a great deal of re- 
semblance in the hearts of different persons who 
have passed through them. This sort of instruc- 
tion, drawn from just and solid experience, will 
animate and encourage the young Christian that 
begins to shake off the slavery of sin and to set 
his face toward heaven ; this will make it appear 



112 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

that religion is no impracticable thing; it will es- 
tablish and comfort the professors of the gospel, 
and excite them with new vigour to proceed in the 
way of faith and holiness ; it will raise a steadfast 
courage and hope, and will generally obtain a 
most happy effect upon the souls of the hearers 
beyond all that you can say to them from princi- 
ples of mere reasoning and dry speculation ; and 
especially where you have the concurrent expe- 
rience of any scriptural examples. 

" VII. Whether you are discoursing of doctrine 
or duty, take great care that you impose nothing 
on your hearers, either as a matter of faith 
or practice, but what your Lord and Master, 
Christ Jesus, has imposed. These are the limits 
of the commission which Christ gave to the first 
ministers of the gospel. Matth. xxviii. ult. Go, 
disciple all nations, baptizing them who are will- 
ing to become my disciples, and teach them to 
observe whatsoever I have commanded you. He 
has not given leave to his ministers, whether se- 
parate in their single congregations, or united in 
synods or councils, the least degree of power to 
appoint one new article of faith, nor to enjoin any 
new sort of devotion or practice, nor to impose 
any one rite or ceremony of worship but what he 
himself has framed and enjoined. And yet, to 
our universal reproach, there is scarce any party 
of Christians but hath been too ready to impose 
some doctrines upon the belief of their proselytes 



COMPOSITION OF SERMONS. 113 

which Christ has not imposed, or to require of 
them some practices or some abstinences, about 
meats or days, or things indifferent, which Christ 
has not required. It is this assuming power 
that has turned Christianity into an hundred 
shapes, and every one of them in some degree 
unlike the glorious gospel. It is this has brought 
in all the superstitions and fooleries, the splendid 
vanities, the useless austerities, and the childish 
trifles of the Greek and Roman churches; and it 
is this has too far corrupted the purity and de- 
faced the beauty of most of those churches who 
boast of reformation, and wear the protestant 
name. 

" To avoid the extremes into which we are apt 
to fall, permit me to give this general word of 
advice, and may God enable me to take it my- 
self, viz. That in all our ministrations we keep 
a constant and religious eye upon the holy scrip- 
ture, that in the necessary and most important 
points of doctrine or duty, we may teach our 
hearers neither more nor less than the scripture 
teaches. Our great business is to expound scrip- 
ture, and enforce the word of God upon the minds 
and hearts of men: when, therefore, we explain 
the great and necessary points of the gospel con- 
tained in any one scripture, let us do it as much 
as possible by bringing other parts of scripture 
into the same view, that the word of God may 
be a comment on itself. When we have occa- 



1H DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

sion to make inferences from it, let us take care 
that the connexion of them be strong and evi- 
dent, and that they lie not far off at a distance, 
for in very distant inferences we are more liable 
to mistake. 

" VIII. Remember that you have to do with the 
understanding, reason, and memory of man, with 
the heart and conscience, with the will and affec- 
tions; and, therefore, you must use every method 
of speech which may be most proper to engage 
and employ each of these faculties or powers of 
human nature on the side of religion, and in the 
interests of God and the gospel. 

" Your first business is with the understanding, 
to make even the lower parts of your auditory 
know what you mean. Endeavour therefore to 
find out all the clearest and most easy forms of 
speech, to convey divine truths into the minds of 
men. Seek to obtain a perspicuous style and a 
clear and distinct manner of speaking, that you 
may effectually impress the understanding while 
you pronounce the words; that you may so ex- 
actly imprint on the mind of the hearers the same 
ideas which you yourself have conceived, that 
they may never mistake your meaning. This 
talent is sooner attained in younger years by 
having some judicious friend to hear or read over 
your discourses, and inform you where perspicui- 
ty is wanting in your language, and where the 
hearers may be in danger of mistaking your sense. 



COMPOSITION OF SERMONS. IIS 

For want of this, some young preachers have fix- 
ed themselves in such an obscure way of writing 
and talking, as hath very much prevented their 
hearers from obtaining distinct ideas of their dis- 
course. And if a man get such an unhappy 
habit, he will be sometimes talking to the air, 
and make the people stare at him as though he 
were speaking some unknown language. 

" Remember you have to do with the reasoning- 
powers of man in preaching the gospel of Christ; 
for though this gospel be revealed from heaven, 
and could never be discovered by all the efforts 
of human reason, yet it is the reason of man must 
judge of several things relating to it, viz. It is 
reason must determine whether the evidence of its 
heavenly original be clear and strong: it is rea- 
son must judge whether such a doctrine or such 
a duty be contained in this gospel, or may be 
justly deduced from it: it is the work of human 
reason to compare one scripture with another, 
and to find out the true sense of any particular 
text by this means. — Reason therefore hath its 
office and proper province even in matters of re- 
velation; yet it must always be confessed, that 
some propositions may be revealed to us from 
heaven which may be so far superior to the limits 
and sphere of our reasoning powers in this pre- 
sent state, that human reason ought not to reject 
them, because it cannot fully understand them, 
nor clearly and perfectly reconcile them ; unless 



116 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

it plainly see a natural absurdity in them, a real 
impossibility, or a plain inconsistence with other 
parts of divine revelation. 

" Well then, since you have to do with reason- 
able creatures in your sacred work, let your man- 
ner of speaking be rational, and your arguments 
and inferences just and strong, that you may ef- 
fectually convince your hearers of the truth of 
what you deliver in your ministrations of the 
gospel. 

" And in your representation of things to the 
reason and understanding of men, it would some- 
times be of special advantage to have some power 
over the fancy or imagination: this would help 
us to paint our themes in their proper colours, 
whether of the alluring or the forbidding kind. 
And now and then we should make use of both, 
in order to impress the idea on the soul with hap- 
pier force and success." 

When you have occasion to speak of pride, 
envy, malice, revenge, and similar sins, " make it 
evident how contrary they are both to the law of 
God and the gospel of Christ; describe them in 
all their several forms, shapes, and appearances; 
strip them of their false pretences and disguises; 
show how they insinuate and exert themselves in 
different occurrences of life, and different consti- 
tutions; and pursue them so narrowly as it were 
by a hue and cry, with such exact descriptions, 
that if any of these vices are indulged by your 



COMPOSITION OF SERMONS. in 

hearers, they may be found out by strict self- 
examination, that the consciences of the guilty 
may be laid under conviction of sin, and be set in 
the way of repentance and reformation, 

" Whensover any vice has found the way into 
our bosoms, and made its nest there, its proper 
and evil features and characters had need to be 
marked out by the preacher with great accuracy, 
that it may be discovered to our consciences in 
order to its destruction: for these wretched 
hearts of ours are naturally so fond of all their 
own inmates, that they are too ready to hide their 
ill qualities from our own sight and conviction, and 
thus they cover and save them from the sentence 
of mortification and death, which is denounced 
against every sin in the word of God. And let 
the preacher and the hearer both remember, that 
sin must be pursued to the death, or else there 
is no life for the soul. It is only the Christian 
who, by the spirit, mortifies the sinful deeds of 
the body, has the promise of salvation and life, 
Rom. viii. 13. 

" It would be a happy thing, if this vivacious 
and sprightly power of the fancy, which too often 
becomes an ingenious and successful tempter of 
the soul, to guilt, mischief, and ruin, might, by 
the art of the preacher, be gained over to the in- 
terests of virtue and goodness, and employed for 
God and salvation. 



118 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

" Think further, that you should take some 
care also to engage the memory, and to make it 
serve the purposes of religion. Let your reason- 
ings be never so forcible and convincing, let 
your language be never so clear and intelligible, 
yet if the whole discourse glide over the ears in a 
smooth and delightful stream, and if nothing be 
fixed in the memory, the sermon is in great dan- 
ger of being lost and fruitless. Now, to avoid this 
danger, I would recommend to you the care of a 
clear and distinct method, and let this method 
appear to the hearers by the division of your dis- 
courses into several plain and distinct particulars, 
so that the whole may not be a mere loose har- 
angue without evident members and discernible 
rests and pauses. Whatsoever proper and natur- 
al divisions belong to your subject, mark them 
out by the numbers 1st, 2d, 3d, &c. This will 
afford you time to breathe in the delivery of your 
discourse, and give your hearers a short season 
for recollection of the particulars which have been 
mentioned before. 

" But in this matter take care always to main- 
tain a happy medium, so as never to arise to such 
a number of particulars as may make your ser- 
mon look like a tree full of branches in the win- 
ter, without the beauteous and profitable appear- 
ance of leaves or fruit. 

" Cast the scheme of your discourse into some 
distinct general heads and lesser sub-divisions in 



COMPOSITION OF SERMONS. 119 

your first sketches and rudiments of it. This 
will greatly assist you in the amplification, this 
will help you to preserve a just method through- 
out, and secure you from repeating the same 
thoughts too often. This will enable you to com- 
mit your sermon to your own memory the better, 
that you may deliver it with ease, and it will 
greatly assist the understanding, as well as the 
memory, of all that hear you. It will furnish 
them with matter and method for an easy recol- 
lection at home, for meditation in their devout re- 
tirement, and for religious conference or rehear- 
sal after the public worship is ended. 

" Consider again your business is with the 
consciences and wills and affections of men. A 
mere conviction of the reason and judgment by the 
strongest arguments is hardly sufficient in matters 
of piety and virtue to command the will into obe- 
dience, because the appetites of the flesh, and 
the interests of this world, are engaged on the 
opposite side. It is a very common case with 
the sons and daughters of Adam to see and know 
their proper duty, and to have the reasons that 
enforce it fresh in their memory, and yet the pow- 
erful efforts of the flesh and the world withhold 
the will from the practice, forbid its holy resolu- 
tions for God and heaven, or keep them always 
feeble, doubtful, and wavering. The God of na- 
ture therefore has furnished mankind with those 
powers which we call passions or affections of the 



120 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

heart, in order to excite the will with superior 
vigour and activity to avoid the evil and pursue 
the good. Upon this account the preacher must 
learn to address the passions in a proper manner, 
and I cannot but think it a very imperfect char- 
acter of a Christian preacher, that he reasons 
well upon every subject, and talks clearly upon 
his text, if he has nothing of the pathetic in his 
ministrations, no talent at all to strike the passions 
of the heart. 

" Awaken your spirit therefore in your com- 
posures, contrive all lively, forcible, and pene- 
trating forms of speech, to make your words pow- 
erful and impressive on the hearts of your hear- 
ers when light is first let into the mind. Practise 
all the awful and solemn ways of address to the 
conscience, all the soft and tender influences on 
the heart. Try all methods to rouze and awaken 
the cold, the stupid, the sleepy race of sinners; 
learn all the language of holy jealousy and terror 
to affright the presumptuous; all the compassion- 
ate and encouraging manners of speaking to com- 
fort, encourage? and direct the awakened, the 
penitent, the willing, and the humble; all the 
winning and engaging modes of discourse and 
expostulation, to constrain the hearers of every 
character to attend. Seek this happy skill of 
reigning and triumphing over the hearts of an as- 
sembly. Persuade them with power to love and 
practise all the important duties of godliness in 



COMPOSITION OF SERMONS. 121 

opposition to the flesh and the world; endeavour 
to kindle the soul to zeal in the holy warfare, and 
to make it bravely victorious over all the enemies 
of its salvation. 

" But in all these efforts of sacred oratory, re- 
member still you are a minister of the gospel of 
Christ. And as your style must not affect the 
pomp and magnificence of the theatre, so neither 
should you borrow your expressions or your me- 
taphors from the coarsest occupations, or any of 
the mean or uncleanly occurrences in life. Swell 
not the sound of your periods with ambitious or 
pedantic phrases, dress not your serious discours- 
es to the people in too glittering array, with an 
affectation of gawdy and flaunting ornaments, nor 
ever descend to so low a degree of familiarity 
and meanness as to sink your language below the 
dignity of your subject or your office. 

" IX. As the art of reasoning and the happy 
skill of persuasion are both necessary to be used 
in framing your discourses, so both of them may 
be borrowed in a good measure from the holy 
scriptures. The word of God will furnish you 
with a rich variety of forms both to prove and 
persuade. Clear instruction, convincing argu- 
ment, and pathetic address to the heart, may be 
all drawn from the sacred writers. Many fine 
strokes of true logic and rhetoric are scattered 
through that divine book the Bible. Words of 
force and elegance to charm and allure the soul, 

2 



122 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

glitter and sparkle like golden ore in some pecu- 
liar parts of it. You may find there noble ex- 
amples of the awful and compassionate style, and 
inimitable patterns of the terrible and the tender. 
Shall I therefore take the freedom once again to 
call upon you to remember that you are a minis- 
ter of the word of God, a professor and preacher 
of the Bible, and not a mere philosopher upon 
the foot of reason, nor an orator in a heathen 
school ? 

" I am not here directing you to compose your 
whole sermons of nothing else but a perpetual 
connexion of texts of scripture,* nor to spend 
the whole hour in running from one text to an- 
other as a concordance or the margin shall point 
them out. Persons of low degrees of learning, 
who give themselves up to this method, have fre- 
quently introduced scripture in their discourses 
in a sense which the holy writers never thought 
of, and which the spirit of God never designed: 
and yet if a learned man would happily explain 
the more difficult parts of the word of God, per- 
haps it will be generally best done, and especially 

* The late excellent Mr. Fuller of Kettering having heard a 
preacher deliver a sermon entirely composed of texts of scripture, 
strung together without any comment, observed, that such preach- 
ers reminded him of a person who should show him a basket of 
fine oranges — If such a one should take up one orange after 
another, and say, there is one fine orange, and there is another, 
he should be disposed to reply yes : they all appear excellent; but 
I wish you would cut up one of them and let us taste the juice 
of it. — Editor. 



COMPOSITION OF SERMONS. 123 

in the pulpit, by comparing them with other texts 
which are more plain and easy. Scripture is the 
best interpreter of itself. 

" As for argument to confirm a doctrine, or 
enforce a duty, you may borrow much of this 
from the word of God. It is true, when we speak 
of those subjects which belong to natural religion, 
we may very properly bring arguments from the 
nature of God and man, and from the reason of 
things, to show how necessary and reasonable it 
is to believe such a truth, or to practise such a 
virtue: nor is the scripture itself barren of such 
reasonings; and even in the peculiar articles of 
Christianity, it is a most excellent and useful de- 
sign now and then to show how consistent and 
harmonious they are with reason, and how wor- 
thy of our faith and practice, since the word of 
God has revealed them, though they could not be 
found out by the light of nature. Yet these ar- 
guments, if they are long and laboured, and not 
immediately apprehended by the mind, are much 
more proper to be communicated to the world by 
writing than by speaking. There the reader may 
review and dwell upon an argument till he has 
grasped the whole chain, and admits all the con- 
nected inferences, and sees the undoubted evi- 
dence of the conclusion. But reasonings in the 
pulpit, for the most part, should be short and 
easy, that they may strike conviction into the 
mind almost as soon as they strike the ear, un- 



124 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

less your hearers were all men of learning and 
refined education. 

" But the bulk of our auditories, whether in 
the city or country, are not much profited by 
sermons merely made up of rational proofs of any 
doctrine or duty, deeply and laboriously deduced 
from the original springs and prime nature of 
things. They do not find their minds so much 
enlightened, nor their hearts warmed by a tedious 
train of connected inferences that are fetched from 
distant principles of nature and philosophy. This 
method, I confess, may entertain a few of the 
more rational, the more learned, or more polite 
persons in an auditory, who can survey and com- 
prehend the sense of such discourses, and feel the 
force of such long chains of argumentation; and 
these persons, I own, ought to have due respect 
paid them in some parts of our ministry. Yet it 
is not the great business of a preacher of the 
gospel only to please the few, but to become all 
things to all men, and, if possible, to win a mul- 
titude of souls to Christ. The generality of our 
hearers have their lives filled up with the busi- 
ness of their station, and have little leisure or ad- 
vantage to improve their understandings in the art 
of deep reasoning. These will yawn, and nod, 
and grow weary of the sermon; nor will such a 
preacher (though his discourses are never so 
much laboured,) profit the assembly any more 
than please them, if he goes on resolutely in this 



COMPOSITION OF SERMONS. 12$ 

way. Such a minister will quickly despise his 
hearers, and they will soon be tired with their 
preacher. 

" I grant it is necessary to use good reason 
through your whole discourse, and connect all the 
parts of it with justice; but as I hinted before, let 
your arguments to prove any point be generally 
short and easy, and within the grasp of a common 
understanding. Remember that a few plain and 
obvious reasonings from familiar and well-known 
principles, and some clear and well-chosen texts 
of scripture, with a word or two to explain or 
apply them to the understanding and conscience 
of men with light and zeal, will impress the judg- 
ment and pierce the heart with more speedy and 
powerful conviction: and our hearers who regard 
a plain scriptural argument as the word of the 
living God, will much more readily receive it 
and submit much sooner to the force and author- 
ity of it. Thus saith the prophet, or thus saith 
the apostle, carries greater weight with it both 
to convince and to persuade, than a long series of 
demonstrations from remote principles. 

" And as for bright, warm, and pathetic lan- 
guage to strike the imagination, or to affect the 
heart, to kindle the divine passions, or to melt 
the soul, there is none of the heathen orators can 
better furnish you than the moving expostulations 
of the ancient prophets, the tender and sprightly 
odes of holy David, or the affectionate part of the 



126 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

letters of St. Paul, which even his enemies in the 
church of Corinth confess to be powerful. The 
eastern writers, among whom we number the 
Jews, were particularly famous for lively oratory, 
for bright images, and bold and animated figures 
of speech. Could I have heard Isaiah or Jeremy 
pronouncing some of their sermons, or attended 
St. Paul in some of his pathetic strains of preach- 
ing, I should never mourn a want of acquaintance 
with Tully or Demosthenes. 

" A preacher whose mind is well stored and 
enriched with the divine sense and sentiments, 
the reasoning and the language of scripture, (and 
especially if these are wrought into his heart by 
Christian experience,) supposing his other talents 
are equal to those of his brethren, will always 
have a considerable advantage over them in com- 
posing such discourses, as shall be most popular 
and most useful in Christian assemblies ; and he 
may better expect the presence and blessing of 
God to make his word triumph over the souls of 
men, and will generally speak to their hearts with 
more power for their eternal salvation. Show me 
one sinner turned to God and holiness by the 
labours of a Christian preacher who is generally 
entertaining the audience with a long and weighty 
chain of reasoning from the principles of nature, 
and teaching virtue in the language of heathen 
philosophy, and I think I may undertake to show 
you ten who have been convinced and converted, 



COMPOSITION OF SERMONS. 127 

and have become holy persons and lively Christ- 
ians, by an attendance upon a scriptural, affection- 
ate, and experimental ministry. The whole as- 
sembly hang attentive upon the lips of a man who 
speaks to the heart, as well as the understanding, 
and who can enforce his exhortations from his 
own experience of the success of them. They de- 
light to hear the preacher whose plain and pow- 
erful addresses to the conscience, and whose fre- 
quent methods of reasoning in the pulpit have 
been drawn from what they themselves have read 
in scripture concerning God and man, sin and 
duty, our misery and divine mercy, death, resur- 
rection, judgment, heaven, and hell. They attend 
with holy reverence and affection on such a min- 
ister, whose frequent argument both in points of 
doctrine and practice is, Thus saith the Lord. 

"X. Be not slothful or negligent in your 
weekly preparation for the pulpit; take due time 
for it; begin so early in the week that you may 
have time enough before you to finish your pre- 
parations well; and always allow for accidental 
occurrences, either from indisposition of body, 
from interruptions by company, from unforeseen 
business or trouble, &c. that you may not be re- 
duced to the necessity of hurrying over your work 
in haste at the end of the week, and serving God 
and the souls of men with poor, cold, and care- 
less performances. Remember that awful word, 
though spoken on another occasion. Jer. xlviii. 10. 



128 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

6 Cursed be he that doth the work of the Lord 
deceitfully/ Manage so as to leave generally the 
Saturday evening, or at least the Lord's day 
morning, entire for the review and correction of 
your discourse, and for your own spiritual im- 
provement by the sermon which you have pre- 
pared for the people. 

" If it should happen that the mere providence 
of God, without any neglect of yours, has hinder- 
ed you from making so good a preparation as you 
designed, you may with courage and hope of 
divine assistance venture into the assembly with 
more slender and imperfect furniture. But if 
your conscience tells you that your preparations 
are very slight, and the neglect is all your own, 
you have less reason to expect aids from above 
without great humiliation for your negligence. 
And what if God should forsake you so far in the 
pulpit as to expose you to public shame, and thus 
punish you for your carelessness in the midst of 
the congregation? 

" Study your matter well by meditation and 
reading, and comparing scriptures together, till 
you have gotten it completely within your grasp 
and survey: then if you should happen to be so 
situated in preaching, that you could not refresh 
your memory by the inspection of your paper 
every minute, yet you will not be exposed to hur- 
ry and confusion; a ready thought will suggest 
something pertinent to your purpose. Let your 



PUBLIC MINISTRATIONS. 129 

preparations be usually so perfect that you may 
be able to fill up the time allotted for the dis- 
course with solid sense, and proper language, 
even if your natural spirits should happen to be 
heavy and indisposed at the hour of preaching, 
and if your mind should have no new thoughts 
arising in the delivery of your discourse. Labour 
carefully in the formation of your sermons in 
younger years. A habit of thinking and speak- 
ing well, procured by the studies of youth, will 
make the labour of your middle age easy, when 
perhaps you will have much less time and lei- 



The author next calls upon his brethren 

TO TAKE HEED TO THEIR PUBLIC LABOURS AND 
MINISTRATIONS IN THE CHURCH. 

This, he observes, may be done by attending 
to the following particulars : — 
' " I. Apply yourself to your work with pious de- 
light ; not as a toil and task, which you wish were 
done and ended, but as matter of inward plea- 
sure to your own soul. Enter the pulpit with 
the solemnity of holy joy, that you have an op- 
portunity to speak for the honour of God and 
the salvation of men. Then you will not preach 
or pray with sloth or laziness— with coldness or 
indifference. We do not use to be slothful and 

K 



130 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

indifferent in the pursuit of our joys, or the relish 
of our chosen pleasures. Stir up yourself to the 
work with sacred vigour, that the assembly may 
feel what you speak. But if you deliver the most 
solemn and lively composures like a man that is 
half asleep, it will be no wonder if your hearers 
slumber. A dull preacher makes a drowsy 
church. 

" II. Endeavour to get your heart into a tem- 
per of divine love, zealous for the laws of God, 
affected with the grace of Christ, and compas- 
sionate for the souls of men. With this temper 
engage in public work. Let your frame of spi- 
rit be holy with regard to your own inward de- 
votion, near to God, and delighting in him. And 
let it be zealous for the name of Christ and the 
increase of his kingdom. O pity perishing sin- 
ners when you are sent to invite them to be re- 
conciled to God. Let not self be the subject or 
the end of your preaching, but Christ and the 
salvation of souls. We preach not ourselves, 
saith the apostle, but Christ Jesus, and ourselves 
your servants for Jesus' sake. 2 Cor. iv. 5. Speak 
as a dying preacher to dying hearers, with the 
utmost compassion to the ignorant, the tempted, 
the foolish, and the obstinate ; for all these are 
in danger of eternal death. Attend your work 
with the utmost desire to save souls from hell, 
and enlarge the kingdom of Christ your Lord. 



PUBLIC MINISTRATIONS. 131 

" Go into the public assembly with a design 
(if God please) to strike and persuade some souls 
there into repentance, faith, holiness, and salva- 
tion. Go to open blind eyes, to unstop deaf ears, 
to make the lame walk, to make the foolish wise, 
to raise those that are dead in trespasses and sins 
to a heavenly and divine life, and to bring guilty 
rebels to return to the love and obedience of their 
Maker, by Jesus Christ, the great reconciler, that 
they may be pardoned and saved. Go to diffuse 
the savour of the name of Christ, and his gospel, 
through a whole assembly, and to allure souls to 
partake of his grace and glory. 

" III. Go forth in the strength of Christ, for 
these glorious effects are above your own strength, 
and transcend all the powers of the brightest 
preachers. Be strong in the grace which is in 
Christ Jesus. 2 Tim. ii. 1. Without him we can 
do nothing. John xv. 5. 

" Go with a design to work wonders of salva- 
tion on sinful creatures, but in the strength of 
Jesus, who hath all power given him in heaven 
and earth, and hath promised to be with his mi- 
nisters to the end of the world. Matt, xxviii. 20. 
Pray earnestly for the promised aids of the Spi- 
rit, and plead with God who hath sent you forth 
in the service of the gospel of his Son, that you 
may not return empty, but bring in a fair harvest 
of converts to heaven. It is the Lord of the har- 



132 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

vest who only can give this divine success to the 
labourers. He that plants is nothing, and he that 
waters is nothing, but all our hope is in God who 
giveth the increase. 

" IV. Get the substance of the sermon which 
you have prepared for the pulpit so wrought in- 
to your head and heart by review and meditation, 
that you may have it at command, and speak to 
your hearers with freedom ; not as if you were 
reading or repeating your lesson to them, but as 
a man sent to teach and persuade them to faith 
and holiness. Deliver your discourses to the peo- 
ple like a man that is talking to them in good 
earnest about their most important concerns, and 
their everlasting welfare; like a messenger sent 
from heaven, who would fain save sinners from 
hell, and allure souls to God and happiness. Do 
not indulge that lazy way of reading over your 
prepared paper, as a school-boy does an oration 
out of Livy or Cicero, who has no concern in the 
things he speaks. But let all the warmest zeal 
for God, and compassion for perishing men, ani- 
mate your voice and countenance; and let the 
people see and feel, as well as hear, that you are 
speaking to them about things of infinite moment, 
and in which your own eternal interest lies as 
well as theirs. 

" V. If you pray and hope for the assistance 
of the Spirit of God in every part of your work, 



PUBLIC MINISTRATIONS. 133 

do not resolve always to confine yourself precise- 
ly to the mere words and sentences which you 
have written down in your private preparations. 
Far be it from me to encourage a preacher to ven- 
ture into public work without due preparation by 
study and regular composure of his discourse. 
We must not serve God with what cost us no- 
thing. All our wisest thoughts and cares are 
due to the sacred service of the temple. But 
what I mean is, that we should not impose upon 
ourselves just such a number of precomposed 
words and lines to be delivered in the hour, with- 
out daring to speak a warm sentiment that comes 
fresh upon the mind. Why may you not hope 
for some lively turns of thought, some new pious 
sentiments which may strike light, and heat, and 
life into the understandings and the hearts of those 
that hear you ? In the zeal of your ministrations, 
why may you not expect some bright and warm 
and pathetic forms of argument or persuasion to 
offer themselves to your lips, for the more power- 
ful conviction of sinners, and the encouragement 
and comfort of humble Christians? Have you 
not often found such an enlargement of thought, 
such a variety of sentiment and freedom of speech, 
in common conversation upon an important sub- 
ject, beyond what you were apprized of before- 
hand? And why should you forbid yourself this 
natural advantage in the pulpit, and in the fer- 



134 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

vour of sacred ministrations, where also you have 
more reason to hope for divine assistance? 

" Why must we never dare to add any thing 
to our premeditated notes in speaking to the peo- 
ple, while we can take this freedom in speaking 
to the blessed God ? As there has been many a 
fervent and devout petition offered to God in our 
addresses to him, which has not been thought of 
before, so many a sentence that was never written 
has been delivered in our addresses to the peo- 
ple with glorious success ; it has come more im- 
mediate and warm from the heart, and may have 
been blest of God to save a soul. 

" VI. Here would be a proper place to inter- 
pose a few directions concerning elocution, and 
the whole manner of delivery of your discourse 
to the people ; which includes both a voice, ges- 
ture, and behaviour suited to the subject and de- 
sign of every part of the sermon. But the rules 
that are necessary for this part of our work, are 
much better derived from books written on this 
subject, from an observation of the best preachers 
in order to imitate them, and an avoidance of that 
which we find offensive when we ourselves are 
hearers. 

" VII. Be very solicitous about the success of 
all your labours in the pulpit. Water the seed 
sown not only with public but secret prayer. 
Plead with God importunately, that he would not 



PUBLIC MINISTRATIONS. 135 

suffer you to labour in vain. Be not like that 
foolish bird the ostrich, which lays her eggs in 
the dust, and leaves them there, regardless whe- 
ther they come to life or not. God hath not given 
her understanding. Job xxxix. 14 — IT. But let 
not this folly be your character or practice ; la- 
bour, and watch, and pray that your sermons and 
the fruit of your studies may become words of 
divine life to souls. 

" It is an observation of pious Mr. Baxter's, 
which I have read somewhere in his works, that 
he has never known any considerable success from 
the brightest and noblest talents, nor the most 
excellent kind of preaching, and that even where 
the preachers themselves have been truly reli- 
gious, if they have not had a solicitous concern 
for the success of their ministrations. Let the 
awful and important thought of souls being saved 
by my preaching, or left to perish and be con- 
demned to hell by my neglicence, I say, let this 
awful and tremendous thought dwell ever upon 
your spirit. We are made watchmen to the house 
of Israel, as Ezekiel was, Ezek. iii. 17, &c. and if 
we give no warning of approaching danger, the 
souls of multitudes may perish through our ne- 
glect, but the blood of souls will be terribly re- 
quired at our hands." 



136 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

The next section is entitled, 

OF THE CONVERSATION OF A MINISTER. 

On this subject our author observes, 
* 6 We are now come to the fourth and last 
thing which I proposed, in order to the fulfilling 
of your ministry, viz. take heed to your whole 
conversation in the world ; let that be managed 
not only as becomes a professor of Christianity, 
but as becomes a minister of the gospel of Christ. 
Now, amongst other rules which may render your 
conversation agreeable to your character, I en- 
treat you to take these few into your thoughts. 

" I. Let it be blameless and inoffensive. Be 
vigilant, be temperate in all things, not only as 
a soldier of Christ, but as an under-leader of part 
of his army. Be temperate, and abstain some- 
times even from lawful delights, that you may 
make the work of self-denial easy, and that you 
may bear hardship as becomes a soldier. 2 Tim. 
ii. 3. Be watchful or vigilant, lest you be too 
much entangled with the affairs of this life, that 
you may better please him who has chosen you 
for an officer in his battalions, and that you may 
not be easily surprised into the snares of sin. 
Guard against a love of pleasure, a sensual tem- 
per, an indulgence of appetite, an excessive re- 
lish of wine or dainties ; this carnalizes the soul, 
and gives occasion to the world to reproach us 
but too justly. 



CONVERSATION. 137 

" Watch carefully in all your conduct, that you 
give no offence, as far as possible, neither to Jew 
nor Gentile, nor to the church of God, that so the 
ministry may not be blamed. 1 Cor. x. 32. 2 Cor. 
vi. 3. Maintain a holy jealousy over yourself and 
your conduct, that the name of Christ and his 
gospel suffer not the reproach of tongues and im- 
pious blasphemies through your means. Oh how 
dreadful is the mischief that a scandalous minis- 
ter does to the gospel of our- blessed Lord ! What 
a fearful train of consequences may attend his in- 
dulgence of any sinful appetite, or any single cri- 
minal action, even though it be not repeated ! 
What a fatal stumbling-block does he lay before 
the feet of saints and sinners ! He turns away 
the heart of sinners from God and religion, who 
perhaps began to think of setting their faces to- 
ward heaven. He discourages the hearts of young 
Christians, and weakens the hands of all the friends 
of Christ. Woe be to the preacher by whom 
such offences come. 

" II. Let your conversation be exemplary in 
all the duties of holiness and virtue — in all the 
instances of worship and piety toward God, and 
in those of justice, honour, and hearty benevo- 
lence towards men. Be forward and ready to 
engage in every good word and work, that you 
may be a pattern and a leader of the flock — that 
you may be able to address the people committed 
to your care in the language of the blessed apos- 



138 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

tie, Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of 
Christ: — -brethren, be followers together of me, 
and mark them which walk so as ye have us for 
ensample : — for our conversation is in heaven : — 
Those things which ye have both learned and re- 
ceived, and heard and seen in me, do you practise, 
and the God of peace shall be with you. 1 Cor. 
xi. 1. Phil. hi. 17, 20. Phil. iv. 9. 

" III. Let your conversation be grave and 
manly, yet pleasant and engaging. Let it be 
grave, manly, and venerable. Remember your 
station in the church, that you sink not into 
levity and vain trifling — that you indulge not any 
ridiculous humours or childish follies, below the 
dignity of your character. Keep up the honour 
of your office among men by a remarkable sanc- 
tity of manners, by a decent and manly deport- 
ment. Remember that our station does not per- 
mit any of us to set up for a buffoon ; nor will it 
be any glory to us to excel in farce and comedy. 
Let others obtain the honour of being good jes- 
ters, and of having it in their power to spread a 
laugh round the company when they please. 
But let it be our ambition to act on the stage of 
life as men who are devoted to the service of the 
God of heaven, to the real benefit of mankind on 
earth, and to their eternal interests. 

" Yet there is no need that your behaviour 
should have any thing stiff or haughty, any thing 
sullen or gloomy in it. There is an art of pleas- 



CONVERSATION. 139 

ing in conversation that will maintain the honour 
of a superior office without a morose silence, with- 
out an affected stiffness, and without a haughty 
superiority. A pleasant story may proceed with- 
out offence from a minister's lips, but he should 
never aim at the title of a man of mirth, nor 
abound in such tales as carry no useful instruc- 
tion in them, no lessons of piety, or wisdom, or 
virtue. 

66 Let a cheerful freedom, a generous friend- 
ship, and an innocent pleasure generally appear 
on your countenance ; and let your speech be ever 
kind and affectionate. Do not put on any for- 
bidding airs, nor let the humblest soul be afraid 
to speak to you. Let your whole carriage be 
civil and affable ; let your address to men be usu- 
ally open and free, such as may allure persons to 
be open and free with you in the important con- 
cerns of their souls. Seek as far as possible to 
obtain all your pious designs by soft and gentle 
methods of persuasion. 

" If you are ever called to the unpleasing and 
painful work of reproof, this may be done effec- 
tually upon some occasions without speaking a 
word. When vicious, or uncleanly, or unbecom- 
ing speeches arise in public conversation, a sud- 
den silence, with an assumed gravity, will often 
be a sensible and sufficient reproof. Or where 
words of admonition may not be proper because 
of the company, sometimes a sudden departure 



140 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

may be the best way to acquaint them with your 
disapprobation. 

" But there are cases wherein such a tacit re- 
buke is not sufficient to answer your character 
and your office. Sometimes it is necessary for a 
minister to bear a public and express witness 
against shocking immorality, or against vile and 
impious discourse. Yet in general it must be 
said, if a reproof can be given in secret, it is best, 
and most likely to prevail upon the offender, be- 
cause it less irritates his passions, nor awakens 
his pride to vindicate himself, and to despise all 
reproof. 

66 Whensoever providence calls you to this 
work, make it appear to the transgressor that you 
do it with regret and pain. Let him see that you 
are not giving vent to your own wrath, but seek- 
ing his interest and welfare ; and that were it not 
for the honour of God, and for his good, you 
would gladly excuse yourself from the ungrateful 
task ; and that it is a work in which your spirit 
takes no delight. If the case and circumstances 
require some speeches that are awful and severe, 
let it appear still that your love and pity are the 
prevailing passions, and that even your anger has 
something divine and holy in it, as being raised 
and pointed against the sin rather than against 
the sinner. 

" Study to make the whole of your carriage 
and discourse amongst men so engaging as may 



CONVERSATION. . 141 

invite even strangers to love von, and allure them 
to love religion for your sake. 

" IV. In order to attain the same end, let your 
conversation be attended with much self-denial 
and meekness. Avoid the character of a humour- 
ist, nor be unreasonably fond of little things, nor 
peevish for the want of them. Suppress rising 
passion early. If you are providentially led into 
argument and dispute, whether on themes of be- 
lief or practice, be very watchful lest you run 
into fierce contention, into angry and noisy de- 
bate. Guard against every word that savours of 
malice or of bitter strife. Watch against the first 
stirrings of sudden wrath or resentment. Bear 
with patience the contradiction of others, and for- 
bear to return railing for railing. A minister 
must be gentle, and not apt to strive, but meekly 
instructing gainsayers. 

" He should never be ready either to give or 
take offence, but he should teach his people to 
neglect and bury resentment, to be deaf to re- 
proaches, and to forgive injuries, by his own ex- 
ample, even as God has forgiven all of us. Let 
us imitate his divine pattern who cancels and for- 
gives our infinite offences for the sake of Jesus 
Christ. A bishop must not be a brawler or a 
striker, but such as the apostle was, gentle among 
the people, even as a nurse cherishes her children ; 
and being affectionately desirous of their welfare, 
we should be willing to impart not only the gos- 
~ 2 



U2 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

pel of God to them, but any thing that is dear to 
us, for the salvation of their souls. 

" Never suffer any differences, if possible, to 
arise between you and any of the people who are 
committed to your care, or attend on your minis- 
trations. This will endanger the success of your 
best labours among them, and for this reason, 
though you visit families with freedom, yet avoid 
all unnecessary inquiries into their domestic af- 
fairs by a prying curiosity ; the pleasure of such 
secrets will never pay for the danger that attends 
them, and your own business is sufficient for you. 

" Avoid entering into any of the little private 
and personal quarrels that may arise among them, 
unless Providence give you an evident call to be- 
come a peace-maker. But even in this blessed 
work there is some danger of disobliging one side 
or the other ; for though both sides are often to 
blame, yet each supposes himself so much in the 
right, that your softest and most candid intima- 
tion of their being culpable even in little things, 
will sometimes awaken the jealousy of one or both 
parties against you ; this will tend to abate their 
esteem of you, and give a coldness to their atten- 
tion on your sacred services. We had need be 
wise as serpents in this case, and harmless as 
doves. 

" V. Let your conversation be as fruitful and 
edifying as your station and opportunities will al- 
low. Wheresoever you come, endeavour, if pos- 



CONVERSATION. U3 

sible, that the world may be the better for you. 
If it be the duty of every Christian, much more 
is it the indispensible duty of a minister of Christ, 
to take heed that no corrupt communication pro- 
ceed out of his mouth, but that which is good for 
edification, that it may minister grace to the hear- 
ers. Ephes. iv. 29. 

" In your private visits to the members of your 
flock, or to the houses of those who attend on 
your ministry, depart not, if possible, without 
putting in some word for God and religion, for 
Christ and his gospel. Take occasion from com- 
mon occurrences that arise artfully and insensibly 
to introduce some discourse of things sacred. 
Let it be done with prudence and holy skill, that 
the company may be led into it ere they are 
aware. The ingenious Mr. Norris's little Dis- 
course of Religious Conversation, and Mr. Mat- 
thew Henry's Sermon of Friendly Visits, have 
many excellent and valuable hints in them for 
our use. 

It is to be confessed, that the best of ministers 
and Christians sometimes fall into such company, 
that it is hardly possible to speak a word for God 
and the gospel among them. Try then whether 
you cannot introduce a word of human virtue, of 
goodness, meekness, humility, or temperance. 
Try whether you cannot lead the discourse to 
some useful theme in matters of science, art, and 
ingenuity, or to rules of prudence, morality, or 



144 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

human conduct. There is a time of keeping si- 
lence, and restraining our lips as with a bridle, 
even from every thing that is piously good, while 
some sort of wicked men stand before us. The 
best men are sometimes dumb with silence, and 
dare not speak of God or religion, lest they 
should cast their pearls before swine, and give 
their holy things to dogs, and lest they should 
provoke the unclean or the envious animals to 
foam out their impurities, or to turn again and 
rend them. But I doubt this caution has been 
carried much further by our own cowardice and 
carnality of spirit, than David ever practised it in 
the 39th Psalm, or than Jesus Christ meant it in 
the 7th of Matthew. Let us take heed then that 
we abuse not this prudent caution to a manifest 
neglect of our duty, and to withhold our lips from 
the things of God, where providence gives us a 
fair opportunity to speak of them. 

" Now and then take occasion to speak a kind 
and religious word to the children of the house- 
hold ; put them in mind of avoiding some childish 
folly, or of practising some duty that belongs to 
their age. Let your memory be well furnished 
with the words of scripture, suited to the several 
ages of mankind, as well as to the various occa- 
sions of life, that out of the abundance of the 
heart your mouth may speak to the advantage of 
all that hear you, and particularly improve the 
younger parts of mankind, who are the hopes of 



CONVERSATION. iU 

the next generation. Make the lambs of the flock 
love you, and hear your voice with delight, that 
they may grow up under your instruction to fill 
up the room of their fathers when they are called 
away to heaven. Nor let servants be utterly ne- 
glected, where providence may afford you an op- 
portunity to speak a word to their souls. 

" Learn what are the spiritual circumstances 
of the families whom you visit, and address them 
with a word in season where you can have pro- 
per opportunity, Converse personally with them, 
if you can, about their eternal concerns. Let the 
ease and gentleness of your addresses to them, in 
a natural and familiar way, take off all that shy 
and bashful tincture from their minds, that is 
ready to prevent their uttering a word about the 
concern of their souls. Inquire tenderly into 
their state with regard to God. Draw sinners by 
words of compassion to repent of their crimes, to 
return to God, and to trust in Jesus the Saviour. 
Teach Christians sincerely to love and practise 
duty, and to endure with honour the trials of life. 
Teach them to be sick and die as becomes the 
disciples of Christ. Treasure up your own ex- 
periences of divine things, not only as matters of 
delightful review in your own retirements, and 
for the encouragement of your own hope, but as 
lessons to be taught your people upon all proper 
occasions. Whether you are afflicted, or whether 



UG DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

you are comforted, let it be for their consolation 
and salvation. 2 Cor. i. 6. 

" A minister, whose business and known em- 
ployment is to speak of the things of God, should 
never be ashamed to impart divine knowledge, or 
to exhort to holiness with his lips, and to preach 
the word of the gospel of grace, whether the 
world calls it in season or out of season. 2 Tim. 
iv. 1. He that has the happy talent of parlour 
preaching has sometimes done more for Christ 
and souls in the space of a few minutes, than by 
the labour of many hours and days in the usual 
course of preaching in the pulpit. Our character 
should be all of a piece, and we should help for- 
ward the success of our public ministrations by 
our private addresses to the hearts and con- 
sciences of men, where providence favours us with 
just occasions. 

66 In order to promote this work of particular 
watchfulness over the flock of Christ, where he 
has made you a shepherd and overseer, it is useful 
to keep a catalogue of their names, and now and 
then review them with a pastoral eye and affec- 
tion. This will awaken and incline you to lift up 
proper petitions for each of them, so far as you 
are acquainted with their circumstances in body 
or mind. This will excite you to give thanks 
to God on account of those who walk as becomes 
the gospel, and who have either begun, or pro- 



CONVERSATION. 14? 

ceeded and increased in the Christian life and 
temper by your ministry. You will observe the 
names of the negligent and backsliding Christi- 
ans, to mourn over them and admonish them. 
You will be put in mind how to dispose of your 
time in Christian visits, and learn the better to 
fulfil your whole ministry among them. 

" I shall enlarge no farther in the enumeration 
of our duties, which would easily swell into a vo- 
lume, if they were set before our eyes in their 
full extent. But in general, I say, these are the 
methods whereby we must take heed to ourselves, 
if we would fulfil the ministry that we have re- 
ceived of Christ. To supply what I have omit- 
ted, read frequently and with holy attention the 
epistles of Paul to Timothy and Titus, which will 
furnish you richly with directions for your work." * 



The following extracts are from the last 
section of that part of Dr. Watts's publication 



* Here our author particularly recommends the Life of Dr. 
Cotton Mather of New England. A new edition of this excel- 
lent little work has lately been published in Edinburgh, along with 
that of Joseph Alleine, as forming the first volume of an intended 
series of reprints of some of the more useful publications of a 
former age. This volume is entitled Village Library, No. I. 
No. II. has very recently left the press. It contains a valuable 
small work of Nathanael Vincent on the Spirit of Prayer, with 
some other extracts on the same subject. — Editob. 



148 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

which relates to ministers, and which is en- 
titled, 

A SOLEMN ENFORCEMENT OF THESE EXHORTATIONS 
ON THE CONSCIENCE. 

" The things which I have spoken hitherto 
have been a display of the best methods I can 
think of for the execution of the sacred office of 
the ministry. And so far as they are conforma- 
ble to the word of God, we may venture to say, 
these are your duties, my dear brother, and these 
are ours. It remains now to be considered in 
what manner shall we enforce them on our own 
consciences and on yours ? What solemn obtes- 
tations shall I use to press these momentous con- 
cerns on all our hearts ? What pathetic language 
shall I choose, what words of awful efficacy and 
divine fervour, which may first melt our spirits 
into softness, and then imprint these duties upon 
them with lasting power? We exhort and 
charge you, we exhort and charge ourselves, 
by all that is serious and sacred, by all that 
is important and everlasting, by all the solemn 
transactions between God and man which are 
past, and by all the more solemn and awful scenes 
which are yet to come, by all things in our holy 
religion which are dreadful and tremendous, and 
by all things in this gospel which are glorious and 
amiable, heavenly and divine ; we charge you by 
all that is written in this book of God, according 



EXHORTATIONS ENFORCED. H9 

to which we shall be judged in the last day, by 
all the infinite and astonishing glories and terrors 
of an invisible world and an unseen eternity, we 
charge and exhort you, we exhort and charge 
ourselves, that we all take heed to the ministry 
which we have received of the Lord Jesus that we 
fulfil it. But let us descend to more particular 
forms of solemn exhortation, which perhaps may 
strike our consciences in a more sensible manner, 
and print the duties deeper upon our hearts. 

" First, then, we exhort and charge you, we 
charge and exhort our own souls, by all the an- 
cient transactions between God the Father and 
his Son Jesus Christ for the salvation of sinful 
men, by all the eternal counsels of peace that 
passed between them to recover lost mankind to 
the favour and image of his Maker, that we preach 
this gospel with faithfulness, and be instant in the 
sacred work. It is the effect of these divine coun- 
sels that we publish to sinners ; it is the merciful 
product of this sacred covenant of redemption 
that we are sent to proclaim to a lost world. 
This is the gospel which is put into our hands. 
God grant we may speak as becomes creatures 
intrusted with messages of such a heavenly origi- 
nal, with affairs of such divine solemnity. 

" Secondly, We exhort and charge you, and 
we would charge ourselves to fulfil our ministry, 
by the invaluable treasure of this gospel which is 
put into our hands, by that word of life which is 



150 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

committed to our ministration. Let us speak 
with such a serious zeal as becomes the oracles of 
God and the embassies of his mercy, with such 
compassion to dying souls as is manifested in this 
gospel of love, with such inward fervour and holy 
solicitude for the success of our labours, that if 
it were possible not the soul of one sinner within 
the reach of our preaching might miss of this par- 
doning mercy and eternal joy. Oh let us not dare 
to trifle with God or men. Let us not be cold 
and lifeless in pronouncing the words of everlast- 
ing life, nor lazy and indolent in carrying these 
errands of divine love to a lost and perishing 
world. 

" Thirdly, We charge and beseech you, and 
we charge ourselves, by the mercies of the living 
God which we hope both you and we have tasted, 
by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, which we 
hope we have felt and received, that you and we 
proclaim these mercies with a sacred zeal, and 
that in the name of God and of our Lord Jesus 
we offer them to a miserable world with holy im- 
portunity, 

" If ever we have known this wondrous com- 
passion of God to ourselves, if ever we have tast- 
ed that the Lord is gracious, let us remember the 
relish we have had of this infinite compassion and 
condescending grace, when we were perishing 
under the power and guilt of sin ; and with an 
imitation of that divine pity, let us entreat sinners 



EXHORTATIONS ENFORCED. 151 

to be saved. Let us remember all the alluring 
charms, the heavenly sweetnesses of forgiving, 
sanctifying, and saving grace ; and do our utmost 
to set them all before sinners in the most inviting 
light, that we may win sinful men to accept of 
the same salvation. 

" Fourthly, We exhort and charge you, and we 
charge ourselves, by the dear and glorious name 
of our blessed Jesus, whose servants we are — 
whose name we bear — whose authority gives us 
commission — and who hath chosen us to be the 
ministers of his grace, the messengers of his dy- 
ing love to the sons of men ; we charge and be- 
seech you to take care of the honour of his name 
in your ministrations, for we are sent forth to dis- 
play before the eyes of the world the unsearcha- 
ble riches of Christ. We are intrusted to spread 
abroad the honours of his name. O let us labour 
and strive that our zeal bear some proportion to 
the dignity of our trust, and let us take heed that 
we do nothing unworthy of our great and glori- 
ous master in heaven, who dwells at the right 
hand of God ; nothing unworthy of that holy and 
illustrious name in which we are sent forth to 
preach this gospel, and to enlarge his kingdom. 
He has set us up as lights upon a hill in this sin- 
ful world, this benighted part of his dominion ; 
let us burn and shine to his honour. He has as- 
sumed and placed us as stars in his right hand, 
let us shine and burn gloriously, that we may 



lo2 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

give light to a midnight world. O that we may 
point out to them the morning star, that we may 
bring them under the beams of the rising sun of 
righteousness, and guide them in the way to the 
hills of paradise and everlasting joy ! 

" Fifthly ', We beseech and charge you, while 
we charge ourselves, by the inestimable value of 
the blood of Christ, which purchased this salva- 
tion, that you and we display this illustrious and 
costly purchase to sinful perishing creatures ; this 
precious blood, which is sufficient to redeem a 
world from death, and which is the price of all 
our infinite and everlasting blessings, demands 
that we publish and offer them in his name, with 
holy zeal and solicitude, to sinful men. Oh may 
our hearts and our lips join to proclaim this re- 
demption, this salvation, these everlasting bless- 
ings, with such a devout and sacred passion as 
becomes the divine price that was paid for them. 
Let us not be found triflers with the blood of 
Christ, nor let us bring cold hearts and dead 
affections when we come to set before sinners the 
rich and inestimable stream of that life" and blood 
that comes warm from the heart of the dying Son 
of God. Let perishing creatures know that it 
cost the prince of glory such a dreadful price as 
this to redeem them from eternal misery; and at 
the same time let our own spirits feel the power- 
ful workings of gratitude to the divine friend that 



EXHORTATIONS ENFORCED. 153 

bled and died for us, and let our language make 
it appear that we speak what we feel. 

" Sixthly, We entreat you, with all tenderness, 
and with holy solemnity and fear, — we charge 
you, and we charge ourselves, by the invaluable 
worth of perishing souls, that we fulfil all our 
ministry with a concern of heart equal to so im- 
portant a case. How can we dare to speak with 
lifeless lips, with cold language, or a careless air, 
when we are sent to recover immortal souls from 
the brink of everlasting death ? Oh let it never 
be said that such or such a soul was lost for ever 
through our carelessness, through our coldness, 
through our sinful sloth in publishing the offers 
of recovering grace. How tremendous and pain- 
ful will such a thought be to our hearts ! How 
dreadful the anguish of it to the awakened con- 
science of a drowsy preacher ! 

" Seventhly, We charge you solemnly, and we 
charge ourselves, by the honour that Christ has 
done to us in times past, and has done to you 
this day, by the dignity of that office with which 
we have been formerly invested, and which you 
have this day received, that neither you nor we 
do any thing unbecoming this honourable cha- 
racter. Does Jesus, the divine shepherd, appoint 
us under-shepherds of his flock ; are we consti- 
tuted stewards in his house, to dispense the mys- 
teries of his grace, and the good things of his 
gospel ; are we the messengers of our risen Lord 



154 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

to a dying world ; are we the ministers of our ex- 
alted Saviour in his kingdom here below ; are we 
the stars in his right hand; are we the earthly 
angels of his churches? Oh let us take heed 
that we do nothing to disgrace the titles of digni- 
ty and honour which he has put upon us in his 
word. Let us remember that every dignity brings 
an equal duty with it ; and by fulfilling the vari- 
ous and difficult duties of our holy station, let us 
make it appear that our office was not conferred 
upon us in vain. 

" It behoves us well to remember, that a ble- 
mish upon the name of a minister, arising from 
his own criminal conduct, brings a foul and last- 
ing scandal upon the office itself, and upon the 
gospel of our glorified Lord, in whose name we 
act : and he will not fail to resent it. 

" Eighthly, We exhort and charge you, there- 
fore, my dear brother, by all the sacred solemni- 
ties of this day — by the vows of God which you 
have this day taken upon yourself, and the bond 
wherewith you have bound your soul; and we 
would each of us charge our own consciences, by 
our own former solemn vows, that neither you 
nor we ever suffer ourselves to forget or disregard 
our holy and powerful engagements ; that we be 
awake at all times to fulfil our work, and that we 
never indulge low and trifling thoughts of what 
has formerly appeared to us, and what this day 
appears to you of such awful importance. Oh let 
2 



EXHORTATIONS ENFORCED. 155 

us ever refresh upon our spirits the serious and 
important transactions of that day wherein we 
gave up ourselves to Christ in the sacred service 
of his church. Let us often review the vows of 
these remarkable seasons of our life, and renew 
and confirm them before the Lord. 

" Ninthly, We charge you, and we charge 
ourselves, by the decaying interest of religion, and 
the withering state of Christianity at this day, that 
we do not increase this general and lamentable 
decay, this growing and dreadful apostacy, by our 
slothful and careless management of the trust 
which is committed to us. It is a divine interest 
indeed, but declining ; it is a heavenly cause, but 
among us it is sinking and dying. Oh let us stir 
up our hearts, and all that is within us, and strive 
mightily in prayer and in preaching to revive the 
work of God, and beg earnestly that God, by a 
fresh and abundant effusion of his own spirit, 
would revive his own work among us. Revive 
thy own work, O Lord, in the midst of these 
years of sin and degeneracy, nor let us labour in 
vain. Where is thy zeal, O Lord, and thy 
strength, the sounding of thy bowels and thy 
mercies ? Are they restrained ? O let us rouse 
our souls with all holy fervour to fulfil our minis- 
try, for it will be a dreadful reproach upon us, 
and a burden too heavy for us to bear, if we let 
the cause of Christ and godliness die under our 



156 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

hands for want of a lively zeal, and pious fervour 
and faithfulness in our ministrations. 

" Tenthly, We entreat, we exhort, and charge 
you, and we charge ourselves, by the solemn and 
awful circumstances of a dying bed, and the 
thoughts of conscience in that important hour 
when we shall enter into the world of spirits, that 
we take heed to the ministry which we have re- 
ceived. Surely that hour is hastening upon us, 
when our heads will lie on a dying pillow. 
When a few more mornings and evenings have 
visited our windows, the shadows of a long night 
will begin to spread themselves over us. In that 
gloomy hour conscience will review the behavi- 
our of the days that are past — will take account 
of the conduct of our whole lives — and will par- 
ticularly examine our labours and cares in our 
sacred office. Oh may we ever dread the thoughts 
of making bitter work for repentance in that 
hour, and of treasuring up terrors for a death- 
bed by a careless and useless ministry. 

" Eleventhly, We exhort and charge you, and 
we charge ourselves, by our gathering together 
before the throne of our Lord Jesus Christ, and 
the solemn account we must there give of the mi- 
nistry with which he hath intrusted us, that we 
prepare by our present zeal and labour to render 
that most awful scene peaceful to our souls, and 
the issue of it joyful and happy. Let us look 



EXHORTATIONS ENFORCED. 15? 

forward to that illustrious and tremendous ap- 
pearance, when our Lord shall come with ten 
thousands of his holy angels to inquire into the 
conduct of men, and particularly of the ministers 
of his kingdom here on earth. Let us remember 
that we shall be examined in the light of the 
flames of that day, What we have done with his 
gospel which he gave us to preach ? What we 
have done with his promises of rich salvation 
which he sent us to offer in his name ? What 
is become of the souls committed to our care ? 
Oh that we may give up our account with joy 
and not with grief, to the judge of the living and 
the dead, in that glorious, that dreadful and de- 
cisive hour. 

" Twelfthly, We charge and warn you, my 
dear brother, and we warn and charge ourselves, 
by all the terrors written in this divine book, and 
by all the indignation and vengeance of God 
which we are sent to display before a sinful world* 
by all the torments and agonies of hell which we 
are commissioned to denounce against impeni- 
tent sinners, in order to persuade men to turn to 
God and receive and obey the gospel, that we 
take heed to our ministry that we fulfil it. This 
vengeance and these terrors will fall upon our 
souls, and that with intolerable weight, with 
double and immortal anguish, if we have trifled 
with these terrible solemnities, and made no use 
of these awful scenes to awaken men to lay hold 



1S8 DR. ISAAC WATTS. 

of the offered grace of the gospel. Knowing, 
therefore, the terrors of the Lord, let us persuade 
men, for we must all stand before the judgment 
seat of Christ, to receive according to our works. 
2 Cor. v. 10, 11. 

" In the last place, We entreat, we exhort, 
and charge you, by all the joys of paradise, and 
the blessings of an eternal heaven, which are our 
hope and support under all our labours, and 
which, in the name of Christ, we offer to sinful 
perishing men, and invite them to partake there- 
of. Can we speak of such joys and glories with 
a sleepy heart and indolent language ? Can we 
invite sinners who are running headlong into hell 
to return and partake of these felicities, and not 
be excited to the warmest forms of address, and 
the most lively and engaging methods of persua- 
sion ? What scenes of brightness and delight can 
animate the lips and language of an orator, if the 
glories and the joys of the Christian heaven and 
our immortal hopes cannot do it? We charge 
and entreat you, therefore, and we charge our- 
selves, by the shining recompences which are pro- 
mised to faithful ministers, that we keep this glo- 
ry ever in view, and awaken our dying zeal in our 
sacred work. There is a crown of righteousness 
laid up for those who have fought the good fight, 
who have finished their course, who have kept 
the faith. 2 Tim. iv. 7. There is a glory which 
is to be revealed, a crown of glory which fadeth 



EXHORTATIONS ENFORCED. 159 

not away, prepared for every under-shepherd who 
shall feed the flock of God under his care, and be 
found faithful in his work. When the great shep- 
herd shall appear, he himself will bestow it on 
them. O let us look up continually to this im- 
mortal crown. Let us shake off our sluggishness, 
and rouse all our active powers at the prospect of 
this felicity. Let us labour and strive with all 
our might, that we may become possessors of this 
bright reward." 



REV. JOSEPH ALLEINE. 



The following extracts are taken from the account 
given of the life of the Rev. Joseph Alleine, A. B. 
minister of the gospel at Taunton, Somersetshire. 
This eminent servant of Christ is well known by 
his tract entitled An Alarm to the Unconverted. 
He lived during the period when many of the 
most faithful ministers suffered persecution simply 
for preaching the gospel. On this account he 
was repeatedly imprisoned, and his excellent wife, 
Theodosia Alleine, to whom we are chiefly indebt- 
ed for this account of his life, was on these occa- 
sions the voluntary companion of his bonds. Mr. 
Alleine was eminently distinguished for personal 
godliness and ministerial fidelity. The whole ac- 
count of his life is extremely interesting, I only 
extract such parts of it as more immediately re- 
late to the design of this volume. 

M 



162 JOSEPH ALLEINE. 

The following observations are from 

AN ACCOUNT OF HIS GODLY LIFE AND PRACTICE, 
AND OF THE COURSE OF HIS MINISTRY IN TAUN- 
TON, GIVEN BY MR. GEORGE NEWTON, THE RE- 
VEREND PASTOR THERE, WHOSE ASSISTANT HE 
WAS. 

" In the houses where he sojourned, their hands 
fed one, but his lips fed many ; God freely pour- 
ed grace into his lips, and he freely poured it out. 
None could live quietly in any visible and open 
sin, under his inspection. When he came to any 
house to take up his abode there, he brought sal- 
vation with him ; when he departed, he left salva- 
tion behind him. His manner was, when he was 
ready to depart, and to transplant himself into 
some other family, (as the exigence of his condi- 
tion and the time did more than once constrain 
him to,) to call the people one by one into his 
chamber; from whence, it was observed, that 
scarce any one returned with dry eyes. 

" In matters of religion, and the first table, his 
strictness was so exemplary, (which was near to 
rigour,) that I have scarce known any one of his 
years keep pace with him. 

" But here he stayed not, he was a second-table 
man, a man of morals. I never knew him spotted 
in the least degree with any unjust or uncharita- 
ble action. And I am sure, the many failings of 
professors in this kind touched him to the very 



HIS CHARITY AND CONDESCENSION. 163 

quick, and brought him low ; drew prayers, tears, 
complaints, and lamentations, both by word and 
letter, from him, though yet the Lord would not 
permit him to behold and reap the fruit before he 
died. 

" His charity began at home, but it did not end 
there ; for < he did good to all, according to his 
opportunities, though especially to the household 
of faith.' He considered the poor — he studied 
their condition — he devised liberal things — he 
was full of holy projects, for the advancement of 
the good of others, both spiritual and temporal ; 
which he pursued with such irresistible vigour, 
and zeal, and activity, that they seldom proved 
abortive. 

" He was a man of extraordinary condescen- 
sion to the infirmities of weaker brethren, as they 
that are most holy and best acquainted with them- 
selves are wont to be : 6 instructing those that 
were contrary minded in meekness ; if God per- 
ad venture would give them repentance to the ac- 
knowledging of the truth: restoring those who 
were overtaken with a fault with the spirit of 
meekness :' so dealing with them in such a lov- 
ing, sweet, and humble way, as considering him- 
self, lest he also might be tempted. In their con- 
fessed failings, he was no way supercilious, cap- 
tious, and censorious ; he would maintain a good 
opinion of another, upon a narrower footing than 
many others, who, to say no more, were nothing 



164 JOSEPH ALLEINE. 

stricter, holier, humbler, than himself would be. 
His charity 6 believed all things' that were to be 
believed, and * hoped all things' that were to be 
hoped. And when he deeply condemned the ac- 
tion, he would not judge of the estate : indeed he 
had more charity for others than himself; and 
though he were sufficiently mild in his judgment 
of others, he was severe enough in his judgment 
of himself. 

" He was not peremptory in matters that be- 
long to doubtful disputations : he laid no more 
weight and stress on notions and opinions in re- 
ligion, that wholly depend upon topical argu- 
ments, than belongs to them. He was not like 
many, who are so over-confident in their deter- 
minations, that they will hardly hold communion, 
nay, scarce so much as a pleasing conversation 
with any man, how gracious soever, who cannot 
think, and say, and act in every thing as they do. 
He would allow his fellow-members the latitude 
that the apostle does, and so would freely and fa- 
miliarly converse with those who are sound in the 
faith, as to the fundamentals of religion, and who 
were strict and holy in their lives, of all persua- 
sions.* 



*The Editor is happy to introduce here, in a note, the following 
additional testimony from an intimate friend of Mr. Alleine's, 
tending to show the truly catholic spirit, as well as the eminent 
piety of this distinguished man : — 



HIS ZEAL TO DO GOOD. 165 

" He was infinitely and insatiably greedy of the 
conversion of souls, wherein he had no small suc- 
cess in the time of his ministry. And to this end 
he poured out his very heart in prayer and preach- 
ing ; s he imparted not the gospel only, but his 
own soul.' His supplications, and his exhorta- 
tions, many times were so affectionate, so full of 
holy zeal, life, and vigour, that they quite over- 
came his hearers. He melted over them, so that 
he thawed, and mollified, and sometimes dissolv- 
ed the hardest hearts. But while he melted thus, 
he wasted, and at last consumed himself. 

" He was not satisfied to spend himself in pub- 
lic, but used constantly to go from house to house, 
and there to deal particularly, where he had a 
free reception, both with the governors, and with 
the children, and with the servants of the house- 
hold, instructing them especially in the great fun- 
damental necessary truths of the law, and of the 
gospel, where he observed them to be ignorant : 
gently reproving them where he found any thing 
amiss among them. Exhorting them to diligence, 

" His pure and sacred love wrought in him a great spirit of 
charity and meekness to men of other judgments and persuasions, 
and great affection towards all such in whom he found any spi- 
ritual good. His zeal was all of a building, and no destroying 
nature ; he had too much wisdom to esteem his own thoughts to 
be the standard of all other men's. His clear light and pure 
heart made him of a more discerning, substantial, and divine 
temper, than to reject any, in whom charity could see any thing of 
a new nature, for differing from him in the modes or forms of 
discipline or worship, or in disputable points." 



166 JOSEPH ALLEINE. 

both in their general and particular callings : en- 
treating them who were defective, by any means 
to set up the worship of God in their houses, and 
to make them little churches, by constant read- 
ing of the scripture, so that the word of Christ 
might deeply dwell among and in them richly, by 
carefully catechising the children and the servants, 
if the governors were able ; by frequent medita- 
tions, conferences, repetitions of that which they 
had heard in public, especially by daily prayer, 
morning and evening, that so they might avoid 
that dreadful indignation which hangs over, and 
is ready to be poured out upon the families that 
call not upon God. He made the best inspection 
that he could into the state of every particular 
person; and so accordingly applied himself to 
check, to comfort, to encourage, as he found oc- 
casion. All which he did with so much tender- 
ness, humility, and self-denial, that they gained 
very much on the affections and respect of all that 
received him, and wrought them at least to out- 
ward conformity : so that they who were not visit- 
ed in the beginning, at length came forth and 
called upon him to come to their families and 
help them." 

The following account of his catechising is 
given by Mr. G. 

" As for his method in going from house to 
house, for the instructing of private families, it 
was this : — He would give them notice of his 



HIS CATECHISING. 167 

coming the day before, desiring that he might 
have admittance to their houses, to converse with 
them about their souls' concerns ; and that they 
would have their whole family together when he 
came. When he did come, and the family were 
called together, he would be instructing the 
younger sort in the principles of religion, by ask- 
ing several questions in the Catechism ; the an- 
swers to which he would be opening and explain- 
ing to them. Also he would be inquiring of them 
about their spiritual state and condition, labour- 
ing to make them sensible of the evil and danger 
of sin, the corruption and wickedness of our na- 
tures, the misery of an unconverted state ; stir- 
ring them up to look after the true remedy pro- 
posed in the gospel, to turn from all their sins 
unto God, to close with Christ upon his own 
terms; to follow after holiness, to watch over 
their hearts and lives, to mortify their lusts, to 
redeem their time, to prepare for eternity. And 
before he did go from any family, he would deal 
with the heads of that family, and such others as 
were grown to years of discretion, singly and 
apart, that so he might, as much as possibly he 
could, come to know the condition of each parti- 
cular person in his flock, and address himself in 
his discourse as might be suitable to every one 
of them. 

" He used to spend five afternoons every week 
in such exercises, from one or two o'clock, until 



168 JOSEPH ALLEINK. 

seven in the evening. In which space of time he 
would visit sometimes three or four families in an 
afternoon, and sometimes more, according as they 
were greater or less. He did often bless God for 
the great success that he had in these exercises, 
saying, that God had made him as instrumental 
of good to souls this way, as by his public preach- 
ing, if not more. When the ministers of this 
county of Somerset, at one of their Associations, 
which heretofore they held, were debating whe- 
ther, and how far it were incumbent upon them 
to set up private family instruction in their parti- 
cular charges, Mr. Alleine was the man that they 
pitched upon to draw up his reasons for that prac- 
tice, together with a method for the more profit- 
able managing of it," 

From the abridgment of what he drew up on 
that occasion I make the following extracts : — 

" If we know any evil of any of our flock, we 
may take them aside privately, showing them the 
sinfulness of their practice, and engaging them to 
promise reformation. 

" We should leave with them some few par- 
ticulars of greatest weight, often repeating them, 
till they remember them ; engaging them to mind 
them till we shall converse with them again. 

" Our dealing with them must be in that man- 
ner that may most prevail and win upon their 
hearts. 



HIS CATECHISING. 169 

" 1. With compassion; being kindly affection- 
ed to them, charging, exhorting, comforting every 
one of them, as a father his children. 

" 2. With prudence ; warning and teaching 
them in all wisdom, applying ourselves to their 
several cases and capacities. 

" 3. With patience ; being gentle to all men ; 
in meekness instructing those that oppose them- 
selves ; bearing with their dulness, rudeness, 
and disrespectfulness ; waiting for their repent- 
ance. 

" 4. With all faithfulness, giving no occasion of 
offence, that our ministry be not blamed. 

" 5. With zeal, as Apollos, fervent in spirit, 
teaching diligently the things of the Lord, &c, 

" 6. With plainness, not betraying their souls 
to hell, and ours with them, for want of faithful- 
ness and closeness in our dealing with them. It 
being not sufficient in general, that no drunkard, 
&c. shall inherit the kingdom of heaven ; but 
telling them plainly, and particularly, s Such is 
your looseness, your ignorance, that I fear you 
are in an unconverted state.' 

" 7. With authority ; dealing with them in the 
power and demonstration of the Spirit. 

" 8. With humility; ' not lording it over 
God's heritage, but condescending to men of low 
estates ;' nor disdaining to go into the houses of 
the meanest." 



170 JOSEPH ALLEINE. 

" There is one thing more, in which his self- 
denial and other graces were very exemplary; 
namely, his faithfulness in reproving the miscar- 
riages of professors, sparing none, whether high 
or low, whether ministers or private Christians ; 
yea, although they had been never so dear in his 
affections, and never so obliging in their carriage 
to him, yet if he found in them anything that was 
reprovable, and blame-worthy, he would deal with 
them faithfully and plainly about it, whatsoever 
the issue and event were. 

" One time when he was going about such a 
work, he told a Christian friend, with whom he 
was very intimate and familiar, s Well,' says he, 
' I am going about that which is like to make a 
very dear and obliging friend to become an ene- 
my. But, however, it cannot be omitted ; it is 
better to lose man's favour than God's.' But 
God was pleased then, as well as many other 
times besides, when he went about business of 
this nature, to order things for him better than 
he could have expected, and so to dispose of the 
heart of the person with whom he had to deal, 
that he was so far from becoming his enemy for 
his conscientious faithfulness to him, that he 
loved him the better ever after, as long as he 
lived. 

" He was a man of a very calm and peaceable 
spirit, one that loathed all tumultuous carriages 
and proceedings ; he was far from having any 



HIS ZEAL TO DO GOOD. 171 

other design in his preaching than the advance- 
ment of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus, by the 
conversion and salvation of souls. This was the 
mark that he had in his eye ; this was that for 
which he laboured, and ventured, and suffered, 
and for which he thought he could never lay out 
himself enough. 

" Though he were but a young man, yet in his 
carriage he was exceeding serious and grave, and 
withal very humble, courteous, and affable, con- 
descending to discourse with the poorest and 
meanest persons, for their spiritual good, as soon 
as with the greatest and richest. 

" He was full ofholy projects, often bethinking 
himself by what ways and means he might more 
effectually promote the honour of Christ, and the 
benefit of souls ; and whatsoever he apprehended 
to be conducing to these highest ends, he would 
prosecute with that wisdom and vigour, that he 
seldom failed of bringing it to a comfortable and 
successful issue. 

" Of which projects, this is one which I shall 
here insert. Having considered how much the 
conscientious and frequent performance of the 
duty of self-examination might tend to the bring- 
ing down of sin and furtherance of holiness, both 
in heart and life, he did earnestly press the said 
duty on his hearers in his preaching, directing 
them in the performance ; and not only so, but 
dealt with them also in private about it, and got 



172 JOSEPH ALLEINE. 

a promise from the most of them, that they would 
every night, before they did take their rest, set 
about this duty ; and spend some time in secret, 
on purpose to call themselves to an account how 
they had carried it that day, by proposing several 
questions to their own hearts, which questions he 
had referred to several heads, and drawn up for 
them in writing. 

" And not a few of them have acknowledged 
that they have cause to bless God, who stirred 
him up to put them upon this practice, which 
they have found very helpful to them in their 
daily Christian walk." 



The following extracts are from 

USEFUL QUESTIONS, WHEREBY A CHRISTIAN MAY 
EVERY DAY EXAMINE HIMSELF. 

" Have not I prayed to no purpose, or suffered 
wandering thoughts to eat out my duties ? Matt, 
xviii. 8, 9. Jer. xii. 2. 

" Have not I neglected, or been very overly in 
the reading God's holy word ? Deut. xvii. 19. 
Josh. i. 7, 8. 

" Was there not more of custom and fashion 
in my family duties than of conscience? Psalm 
ci. 2. Jer. xxx. 22. 

" Wherein have I denied myself this day for 
God ? Luke ix. 23. 



USEFUL QUESTIONS. 173 

" Have I been much in holy ejaculation? Neh. 
ii. 4, 5. 

" Hath not God been out of mind, heaven out 
of sight? Psalm xvi. 8. Jer. ii. 32. Phil. hi. 23. 

" Have I been often looking into my own 
heart, and made conscience of vain thoughts ? 
Prov. hi. 23. Psalm cxix. 113. 

" Have I come into no company where I have 
not dropped something of God, and left some 
good savour behind ? Col. iv. 6. Ephes. iv. 29." 

" He was frequent in keeping solemn days of 
humiliation, especially before a sacrament. 

" He was a very strict observer of the sabbath, 
the duties of which he did perform with such joy 
and alacrity of spirit, as was most pleasant to join 
with him, both in public and in the family, when 
we could enjoy him. And this he did much press 
upon Christians, to spend their sabbaths more in 
praises and thanksgivings, as days of holy rejoic- 
ing in our Redeemer. 

" All the time of his health he did rise con- 
stantly at or before four o'clock, and on the sab- 
bath sooner if he did wake. He would be much 
troubled if he heard any smiths, or shoemakers, 
or such tradesmen, at work, at their trades, be- 
fore he was in his duties with God ; saying to me 
often, ' O how this noise shames me ! Does not 
my master deserve more than theirs V From four 
till eight he spent in prayer, holy contemplation, 



174 JOSEPH ALLEINE. 

and singing of psalms, which he much. delight- 
ed in, and did daily practise alone as well as 
in his family. Having refreshed himself about 
half an hour, he would call to family duties, and 
after that to his studies, till eleven or twelve 
o'clock, cutting out his work for every hour in 
the day. Having refreshed himself a while after 
dinner, he used to retire to his study to prayer, 
and so abroad among the families he was to visit, 
to whom he always sent the day before ; going 
out about two o'clock, and seldom returning till 
seven in the evening, sometimes later. He 
would often say, ' Give me a Christian that 
counts his time more precious than gold.' 

" Those that sent slight excuses, [declining his 
pastoral visits,] or did obstinately refuse his mes- 
sage, he would notwithstanding go to them, and if, 
as some would, they did shut their doors against 
him, he would speak some few affectionate words 
to them ; or if he saw cause, denounce the threaten- 
ings of God against them that despise his minis- 
ters, and so departed ; and after would send affec- 
tionate letters to them, so full of love and expres- 
sions of his great desire to do their souls good, as 
did overcome their hearts ; and they did many of 
them afterwards readily receive him into their 
houses." 



DR. WITHERSPOON, 



The name of Dr. John Wither spoon is well known 
both in this country and on the other side of the 
Atlantic. After having successively occupied two 
charges in Scotland, he went to America at the 
early part of the revolution, and was for many years 
before he died President of Princetown College, 
New Jersey, where he contributed not a little to 
raise the standard of American literature and of the 
ministerial character among the students placed 
under his care. The following extracts are taken 
from a very valuable sermon, entitled " Ministe- 
rial Fidelity in declaring the whole Counsel of 
God." The text is Acts xx. 26, 2<7. " Where- 
fore I take you to record this day, that I have 
not failed to declare to you the whole counsel of 
God." This was the last discourse he addressed 
to his flock at Paisley, before he left them for 
America. This will help to explain the reason of 



176 DR. WITHERSPOON. 

his introducing the last branch of his subject in 
the way in which it is here expressed. I pro- 
pose, says he, 

" I. To consider the fidelity of a minister, as 
consisting in a full and complete declaration of the 
counsel of God. 

" II. To consider the difficulties which may 
lie in his way, or tempt him to shun any part of 
his work. 

" III. To make a particular improvement of 
the subject, by giving you my parting advices, in 
the spirit of this passage, and in a way, to the 
best of my judgment, suited to your situation. 

" First, then, Let us consider the fidelity of a 
minister, as consisting in a full and complete de- 
claration of the counsel of God. This is a cir- 
cumstance which the apostle seems to have laid 
particular stress upon, in his discourse to the 
elders of Ephesus, as he not only rests his solemn 
appeal to themselves, in this passage, upon it, but 
had mentioned it before, verses 20, 21. ' And 
how I have kept back nothing that was profitable 
unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught 
you publicly, and from house to house, testifying 
both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repent- 
ance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Je- 
sus Christ/ It is, indeed, a circumstance of the 
utmost moment, as ministers may be supposed 
much more ready to fall short in this respect than 
in any other. It is probable that many more are 
1 



THE FAITHFUL MINISTER. 177 

chargeable with concealing truth than affirming 
falsehood ; with neglecting duty than committing 
crimes ; with not building the house than wilful- 
ly pulling it down. Agreeably to this, we find 
the charge of the prophet against unfaithful shep- 
herds is chiefly or only for neglect of duty. Ezek. 
xxxiv. 2, 3, 4. ' Son of man, prophesy against the 
shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say unto them, 
thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds, wo 
be to the shepherds of Israel, that do feed them- 
selves : should not the shepherds feed the flocks ? 
Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, 
ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the 
flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, 
neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither 
have ye bound up that which was broken, neither 
have ye brought again that which was driven 
away, neither have ye sought that which was 
lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye rul- 
ed them.' But that you may have as comprehen- 
sive a view as possible of the character of a faith- 
ful minister given in the text, observe, that inte- 
grity, in declaring all the counsel of God, implies 
the following particulars : — 

"1. Declaring all the truths of God, without 
any exceptions. The revealed will of God is of 
great extent and compass. It takes in all that 
we are to believe concerning God, and all the 
duty which God requires of man. 



178 DR. W1THERSPOON. 

" There is a preciousness in every truth that 
hath the stamp of divine authority upon it ; and, 
therefore, to neglect any of them, and count them 
trifling, or of little moment, argues a want of re- 
verence for the word of God. The holy scrip- 
tures, as they are full and complete, containing 
every thing that is necessary ; so they are perfect 
and faultless, containing nothing that is unneces- 
sary. Serious persons have often borne testimony 
to the great utility of such parts of the sacred 
oracles as are commonly treated with most indif- 
ference. Nay, I cannot help thinking, that the 
veneration due to God, who doth nothing in vain, 
obliges us to believe the utility even of those pas- 
sages whose purpose we ourselves may not as yet 
have clearly perceived. 

" They are therefore greatly to be blamed 
who are at no pains to make known the counsel 
of God in its full extent; but how much more 
those who satisfy themselves with insisting upon 
some things, which may be most agreeable to their 
own taste and disposition, to the entire neglect of 
others that are perhaps of equal or of greater 
moment ! We see this happen too frequently, 
that things which fill almost every page in the ho- 
ly scriptures can scarce obtain a place in many 
sermons. We see some industriously avoid the 
truths of the everlasting gospel, and others the 
duties of the moral law. 



THE FAITHFUL MINISTER. 17S 

m But, of all others, the most wonderful set of 
men are those, who are for concealing some of the 
truths of God, lest they should be abused. The 
sovereignty of God, his eternal purpose, and the 
freeness of his grace, are often passed by under 
this ridiculous pretence. I would despise the 
wisdom of such persons; it is arrogance — it is 
impiety. I do not know any truth that cannot be 
abused by perverse and corrupt minds, or that 
has not, in many instances, been abused. But is 
this a reason for concealing them ? No. I would 
preach them openly ; I would preach them fully ; 
I would endeavour to guard them against the 
abuse ; and let sinners know, that if they wrest 
the good word of God, they do it to their own 
destruction. 

* 2. Integrity in declaring all the counsel of God> 
implies preaching the truths of the gospel in their 
full and just proportion. Under the former par- 
ticular I have shown the necessity of doing jus- 
tice to every truth ; let us now add the duty of 
giving their full room and place to important and 
fundamental truths. In order to make a just 
portrait of a human body, it is necessary, not on- 
ly to have all the parts, but to have every one in 
the true proportion it bears to another. 

" If we look into the scriptures of the Old and 
New Testament, we shall find certain leading 
truths, which are of so great moment, that they 
ought hardly ever to be out of view ; such as the 



180 DR. W1THERSPOON. 

lost state of man by nature ; the absolute necessity 
of salvation through Christ; the suffering of the Sa- 
viour in the sinner's room; and free forgiveness 
through the blood of the atonement ; the necessity 
of regeneration ; and the gift of the Holy Ghost, to 
enlighten, sanctify, and comfort his people. These 
truths are of such unspeakable moment in divine 
revelation, that they ought to be clearly explain- 
ed, strongly inculcated, and frequently repeated ; 
they are the doctrines of the reformation; they 
make the substance of all the Protestant confes- 
sions ; they are the glory of the Protestant 
churches ; and have been sealed by the blood of 
thousands of suffering martyrs. 

" I do not think the apostle Paul was defective, 
in giving particular instructions upon every sub- 
ject, to those churches which he either planted or 
watered ; yet he says to the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 
ii. 2, 6 For I determined not to know any thing 
among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified ;' 
intimating that such was his attachment to that 
great truth, that it would occupy, in a manner, 
the whole of his time and labour ; or rather, that 
it had such an intimate connexion with every 
other part of the will of God, that, be the subject 
what it would, this could hardly be entirely out 
of view. 

" He, who would declare the whole counsel of 
God, must still place these great and operative 
doctrines in a conspicuous point of view; he 



THE FAITHFUL MINISTER. 181 

must not pass them over slightly ; he must 
not even speak of them coldly, but in such a man- 
ner as to show that he knows their truth and feels 
their moment. What an inconsistency for a 
Christian minister, to speak of the Lord Redeem- 
er in such a style, as naturally leads the hearers 
to put him upon a level with Socrates or Plato, 
or other uninspired teachers, who never pretend- 
ed to be saviours ! What poison to the souls of 
men, for any to speak as if they were speaking to 
Adam before the fall, and to sing those sinners 
asleep in security, whom they should endeavour 
to alarm, that they may be persuaded to flee from 
the wrath to come ! What betraying of their 
trust, to entertain their people with an affected 
display of their own talents or idle speculations — 
to amuse the fancy when they should be building 
them up in holiness and comfort, through faith 
unto salvation ! 

" 3. That to declare all the counsel of God, is to 
preach all the truths of God in their proper or- 
der and connexion. To allude to the similitude 
formerly used of making a portrait of a human 
body, every member must not only be in its just 
proportion, but in its proper place. In teaching 
every science there is a certain order that must 
be observed, otherwise the labour will be in a 
great measure lost; but it holds in nothing more 
strongly than in teaching religion, and opening 
the truths of the gospel. I might confirm this 



182 DR. WITHERSPOON. 

by many examples, or rather, indeed, by going 
through the whole system of divine truth, but 
shall only make a remark or two for illustrating 
the observation. The necessity of salvation by 
Christ is founded upon the lost state of man by 
nature. Unless the one is first established, the 
beauty and meaning of the other will wholly dis- 
appear ; unless we are now in a corrupt and guil- 
ty state; unless man has indeed lost the know- 
ledge of the true God, the kindness of God to his 
peculiar people — the promises in the prophetic 
writings of light to the Gentiles — and the riches 
of divine grace in the gospel, spoken of in such 
magnificent terms, must all appear inconsiderable, 
and unworthy of regard. Unless you can con- 
vince men of their sins, and make them sensible 
of the holiness and justice of God, in vain will 
you preach the gospel to them ; in vain will you 
call it 'glad tidings of great joy to all people;' 
they do not understand the terms, they will de- 
ride the message, and spurn the offered mercy. 

" If you preach the free forgiveness of sin 
through Christ, without, at the same time, show- 
ing the necessity of regeneration and sanctifica- 
tion by his spirit, it will either not be embraced 
at all, or it will be turned into licentiousness. 
And if you preach the duties of the law, without, 
at the same time, displaying the grace of the gos- 
pel, and the vital influence that flows from the 
head to the members, you will either build up 



THE FAITHFUL MINISTER. 18S 

men in a destructive system of pharisaical reli- 
gion and self-righteousness, or bring them under 
the Egyptian bondage of making brick though 
they are not furnished with straw. The privi- 
leges and duties of the gospel stand in an unse- 
parable connexion ; if you take away the first, you 
starve and mortify the last. Hear what our 
Lord himself says, John xv. 4, 5. i Abide in me 
and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit 
of itself, except it abide in the vine ; no more can 
ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are 
the branches : he that abideth in me, and I in 
him, the same bringeth forth much fruit ; for with- 
out me ye can do nothing.' I say the same thing 
of not enforcing the duties of the gospel with the 
great and powerful motives drawn from its truths. 
You see in what a convincing and affecting man- 
ner the apostle Paul speaks of his own conduct, 
and that of the other apostles, 2 Cor. v. 14, 15. 
6 For the love of Christ constraineth us, because 
we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were 
all dead : and that he died for all, that they which 
live should not henceforth live unto themselves, 
but unto him which died for them, and rose 
again/ It is doubtless lawful, nay, it is for the 
glory of God, to make occasional mention of every 
argument against sin, drawn from nature, reason, 
and experience, to show that < the law is holy, 
the commandment holy, just, and good/ But let 
us not hope to make conscientious, active, fruit- 



18* DR. WITHERSPOON. 

ful Christians any other way than by teaching 
them to live 6 the life that they live in the flesh, 
a life of faith on the Son of God, who loved them, 
and gave himself for them/ 

" All who know the grace of God in truth, will 
desire to have this connexion between one truth 
and another, and the influence of truth on duty 
inviolably preserved. It is, indeed, common with 
some to allege, that the friends of the gospel, 
those who are attached to the doctrine of redemp- 
tion, are enemies to the law, and that they do not 
love to hear their duty preached to them. I look 
upon this as an unjust and detestable slander, and 
commonly spread by those who know nothing of 
the subserviency of the law to the gospel, or rather 
who understand very little either of the one or the 
other. 

" Again, if a minister preach the duties of the 
gospel, explain them in all their extent, and press 
them by arguments drawn from the New Testa- 
ment, as the fruits of faith, as the evidences of 
their change, as a debt of gratitude to their Re- 
deemer, as the marks of their relation to him, and 
necessary to fit them for his presence, I believe 
it will not be unacceptable to any of his people. 
On the contrary, they do usually both approve and 
delight in these sermons which are most search- 
ing to the conscience, and most clear and explicit 
in the trial of their state. Titus iii. 8. ' This is a 
faithful saying, and these things I will that thou 



THE FAITHFUL MINISTER. 185 

affirm constantly, that they which have believed 
in God might be careful to maintain good works : 
these things are good and profitable unto men/ 
It is our duty to show not only that professing 
Christians ought to be holy, but that they must 
be holy ; and that if they live and die the slaves 
of any known sin, Christ, and all that he hath 
done, shall profit them nothing, but only aggra- 
vate their condemnation. 

" 4. Fidelity in declaring the whole counsel of 
God, implies preaching every truth in its proper 
season. c There is,' as Solomon tells us, e a time 
for every thing under the sun;' and, where the 
truths of the gospel are taught in their season, it 
gives them a particular lustre as well as an un- 
common force. That you may understand what 
I mean by preaching the truths of religion in their 
season, you may observe, that besides giving with 
assiduity and care the necessary instructions for 
every particular duty incumbent on persons, fa- 
milies, or congregations, the season may vary, 
and the propriety and necessity of insisting upon 
some truths, may arise from two circumstances ; 
— the state of religion among a people — and the 
aspect of providence towards them. 

" 1st, It may arise from the state of religion 
among a people. Surely it is the duty of a mi- 
nister to suit his instructions to the present and 
most pressing necessities of his hearers; not 
to foster their prejudices, but, with care and 



1&6 DR. WITHERSPOON. 

judgment, to correct them ; not to pardon or over- 
look their prevailing errors, but to rectify them ; 
not to bear with epidemic sins, but, with boldness 
and severity to reprove them. It will be seen, 
on the following head, that some of the greatest 
difficulties that lie in the way of ministers, and 
the strongest temptations to unfaithfulness, come 
from this quarter. What an admirable example 
have we of propriety and fidelity in the apostle 
Paul's discourse to Felix, the Roman governor, 
when he desired to hear him concerning the faith 
of Christ ! We are told, Acts xxiv. 25, that he 
took occasion to * reason of righteousness, tem- 
perance, and judgment to come.' In speaking to 
one who had probably no other intention in de- 
siring to hear him than to gratify his curiosity, by 
obtaining a distinct account of the wonderful his- 
tory of Christ, he thought proper to apply to all 
those principles of natural conscience which might 
be supposed yet to retain some power over him. 
And if, as many judicious interpreters think, in- 
stead of temperance we should read continence, 
it was a bold and severe yet well-timed reproof 
to him and Drusilla, who were then living in 
adultery. 

" It is the duty of a minister to suit himself to 
the state of religion among his people, by with- 
holding nothing that is profitable, but particular- 
ly insisting on what is most needful. If any of 
the truths of the gospel are in danger of being 

1 



THE FAITHFUL MINISTER. 187 

neglected, if they are undermined by secret, or 
assaulted by open enemies, it is the duty of a mi- 
nister to make frequent mention of them, lest 
they should be forgotten ; and to support and con- 
firm them, that they may obtain acceptance. If 
any duty is in danger of falling into disesteem, 
and a false shame makes many decline the prac- 
tice, a faithful minister should stand forth an open 
and zealous advocate for its continuance. If any 
particular sin, or sins, prevail remarkably in a 
place, and appear to be gaining ground, it is the 
duty of a minister to beware of yielding to the 
stream, or seeking his own quiet by silence ; on 
the contrary, he ought to double his diligence, 
and make the most resolute and vigorous oppo- 
sition to the incroaching evil. 

" 2dly, The proper season of insisting on par- 
ticular truths may arise from the aspect of provi- 
dence towards the church in general, or a con- 
gregation, family, or person, in particular. You 
see the apostles constantly make use of the state 
of the church in their time — the number and vio- 
lence of its enemies, to excite the servants of 
Christ to vigilance, to exhort them to constancy, 
and to exercise them to patience. In times of 
public danger too the self-seeking minister throws 
off the mask, and deserts the cause, while the 
faithful who remain are necessarily animated with 
uncommon zeal. 



188 DR. WITHERSPOON. 

" But a different aspect of providence calls also 
for instruction in season. In times of public quiet 
and security, there is the greatest reason to dread, 
and, by consequence, to guard against indifference 
and formality in religion, on the one hand, or un- 
necessary contention about it on the other. When 
the profession of the gospel is at any rate safe, 
and in some degree profitable, the church is al- 
ways incumbered with a dead weight of customa- 
ry Christians, who receive their religion from 
their fathers, and continue to tread, as it were, in 
the beaten path. It is no easy matter to shake 
their security when every outward circumstance 
conspires to increase it. And as the spiritual 
slumber takes hold, in some measure, even of 
those who are alive unto God, it is no trifling task 
to exercise discipline, at once with prudence and 
with firmness, and to preserve the life and power 
of religion, when every thing is stiffening into 
form. 

" But the course of providence toward the 
church in general is not only to be observed and 
improved, but whatever is remarkable or singular 
in particular congregations. 

" To these observations I only add, that in the 
whole course of private parochial duties, a faith- 
ful minister will speak the truths of God in their 
proper season. If in family visitation, or private 
and personal admonition, he hath not a particular 



THE FAITHFUL MINISTER. I8i> 

view either to their character, as far as it is known, 
or their state in providence, however excellent or 
important his instructions may be in other re- 
spects, he declareth not the whole counsel of God. 
But if he is truly actuated by a desire of being 
useful, and keeps this circumstance in his eye, 
with what readiness will he communicate instruc- 
tion to the ignorant, consolation to the distress- 
ed, and reproof to the obstinate ! 

" 5. In the last place, declaring the whole coun- 
sel of God, implies preaching the truths of the 
gospel honestly and boldly, without respect of 
persons. I am persuaded the apostle Paul, who 
was himself so remarkable for an undaunted cour- 
age in his Master's cause, had this, amongst other 
things, in view, when he says he had not shunned 
to declare the counsel of God. There are few 
temptations more dangerous to a minister than 
the fear of man. 

" The trials of the apostles were indeed in this 
respect uncommonly severe ; but even setting aside 
the case of open persecution, there is great rea- 
son for ministers to guard against that fear of 
man which bringeth a snare. As their hearers 
are of all different ranks and degrees, they ought, 
with the utmost impartiality, to preach the duties 
incumbent upon, and reprove the sins that cleave 
to men of every station. As they speak in the 
name of God, and carry a message from the King 
of kings, they ought to do it with the dignity that 



190 DR. W1THKRSPOON. 

becomes an ambassador from him. They ought 
not to be dismayed at the presence of the most 
high and mighty of their fellow sinners, when 
they remember the continual presence of him 
before whom • mean men are vanity, and great 
men are a lie.' 

" II. I proceed now to the second thing pro- 
posed, which was to consider the difficulties which 
may lie in a minister's way, and tempt him to shun 
any part of his work. These are very various, 
and not easy either to enumerate or describe. 
What hath generally made the greatest impres- 
sion upon me, either from experience or observa- 
tion, I shall dwell upon a little. It may be re- 
duced to the three following heads : — sloth or 
worldliness in ourselves, — the prejudices of our 
people, — and the opposition of our enemies. 

" 1. Sloth or worldliness in ministers themselves 
may tempt them to shun some part of their work. 
You will see, from the preceding observations, 
that the work of a minister is both extensive and 
difficult. It requires the greatest intention of 
mind — the application, so to speak, of the whole 
man. It requires judgment to lay down the plan, 
diligence and perseverance to carry it into execu- 
tion. Now slothfulness, and a love of ease or 
pleasure, to which we have all too great a bias, 
must be a very dangerous temptation ; to evade 
some part of the duty, or slur it over in a slight 
or careless manner. We have all reason to be 



DIFFICULTIES TO BE ENCOUNTERED. 191 

ashamed that the important objects we have in 
view, and the interesting subjects we have to treat 
of, do not put an edge upon our spirits, and de- 
liver us from that lazy unconcerned manner, 
which is equally dishonourable to God and hurt- 
ful to the souls of men. I take the liberty to ob- 
serve, that slothfulness is very incident to persons 
of considerable abilities ; instead of being excited 
to improve their talents, they are inclined to trust 
to them. Finding, by experience, that they can 
do tolerably with but little pains, they soon come 
to content themselves with next to none. 

" I joined worldliness with sloth, because they 
are near of kin, and commonly co-operate one 
with another. Too many worldly cares, or too 
much indulgence of worldly pleasure, must be a 
very dangerous temptation to those who are en- 
trusted with the care of souls. 

" 2. Another very great difficulty, which often 
lies in the way of a minister, arises from the pre- 
judices of his people. It would be idle to sup- 
pose that ever we shall find a people, among 
whom there are no mistaken notions, or unjust 
prepossessions, which it is our duty, with pru- 
dence, but at the same time with honesty, to with- 
stand. As no congregation can expect to meet 
with a perfect minister, so no minister should ex- 
pect to meet with a faultless congregation. 

" When any sin is common and prevalent in a 
place, when it has long kept possession, and has 



192 DR. WITHERSPOON. 

been generally overlooked; if a minister sees it 
his duty to reprove it with severity, and especial- 
ly if he will not tolerate it without censure, he 
may expect no little difficulty and opposition. 
There are many who will complain of him as too 
rigid, and impute to ill-nature and indiscretion 
what arises from the dictates of conscience and a 
sense of duty. By bearing open testimony against 
the introduction of fashionable amusements, or 
conformity to the world, he will often incur not 
only the hatred of the profligate, but the disap- 
probation of those prudent compilers, who are at 
once ashamed to approve, and unwilling to op- 
pose any sinful relaxation. 

" But what I had chiefly in view, was to men- 
tion these prejudices that may prevail with regard 
to religion, and which may be of such a nature, 
as a minister may be under a necessity not only 
of refusing to comply with, but of opposing in 
the most direct and positive manner. If any er- 
ror or mistake of consequence prevail either among 
his people in general, or any part of them, either 
among the high or the low, the learned or the 
vulgar, he must endeavour to destroy it. 

" 3. The last difficulty which I shall mention, 
as lying in the way of ministers, is the opposition 
of their enemies. No faithful minister can ex- 
pect to be without enemies. In a private cha- 
racter, and retired way of life, a man may, by 
very great prudence, and particularly by silence 



OPPOSITION TO BE EXPECTED. 193 

and forbearance, in a great measure, escape the 
resentment or injuries of violent men. And to be 
as little embroiled with others as possible, is both 
our interest and our duty. ' If it be possible,' 
says the apostle, 4 and as much as hi you lieth, 
live peaceably with all men.' But it is certain, 
from long and invariable experience, that there is 
such enmity and rancour in the hearts of wicked 
men against all who are in good earnest about 
religion, that they may lay their account with 
continual opposition, and continual slander. 

" But if wicked men are injurious to the chil- 
dren of God in general, their malice must be par- 
ticularly whetted against a minister, so far as he 
does his duty. He is placed in a public station, 
and is obliged to be active in his Master's cause. 
Time-serving or neutrality, as to the interest of 
religion, is commendable in none, but it is un- 
pardonable in him. He must bear testimony 
openly and resolutely against vice and wickedness. 
iVnd reproof, when administered with severity, is 
certain of making either a friend or an enemy. 
A faithful minister will not suffer Satan's kingdom 
to be at peace; and, therefore, it is no wonder 
that when they are gnawing their tongues with 
pain, they should pour out their venom against 
him who gives them so much disturbance. 

" There are many ways by which the enmity 
and opposition of wicked men to the truth may 
prove a temptation to a minister : a few of which 
o 



194 DR. WITHERSPOON. 

I shall mention, as I hope the distinct knowledge 
of them may be profitable to you in the way of 
caution : 1st, as one of their chief weapons is con- 
tempt and derision, he may be in danger of con- 
cealing or perverting truth, in some degree, in 
order to avoid it. When the gospel of Christ 
was first published, the doctrine of the cross, we 
are told, was s to the Jews a stumbling-block, and 
to the Greeks foolishness.' The same truth, in 
its simplicity, is still treated with scorn by pro- 
fane and worldly men. All that relates to it is 
considered as weakness and absurdity; and the 
minister who insists upon it, must lose his cha- 
racter with many for capacity and judgment. Is 
not this known to be true in daily experience ? 
Are not such immediately stigmatized as weak 
and babbling creatures ? Now, it is not altogether 
an easy sacrifice for a minister to be indifferent as 
to the opinion formed of his parts and sufficiency, 
to wait till time shall do him justice, or to be al- 
together unconcerned whether it ever do him 
justice or not. It is no trifling thing to become 
a fool in the eye of the world for Christ s sake, and 
not to be ashamed of his cross. I know not, indeed, 
a more difficult thing, nor do I know any thing- 
more noble in a minister, than to ' cease from 
man, whose breath is in his nostrils,' to be truly 
superior to the applause or censure of either one 
class or another of his hearers, and therefore to 
avoid a vain display of human art; but, at the 



TO ACT WITH DECISION. 195 

same time, from a sense of duty to God and ve- 
neration for his truths, to be at all due pains to 
treat them properly, so as they may appear with 
light and evidence to the understanding, and 
come home with force upon the conscience. Such 
a man will bring forth the doctrines of the gospel 
in their own unadorned majesty and native sim- 
plicity ; he will not consider himself as preaching 
before his hearers as critics ; for what are they to 
him in this view ? but he will consider himself as 
preaching to them as sinners, and pleading with 
them as immortal creatures, tottering upon the 
very brink of eternal perdition. 

" 2dty) The opposition of enemies may tempt 
men of little courage to sinful silence for their own 
quiet. When vice is prevalent, it is also com- 
monly insolent and resentful. Now, the hatred 
or ill-will of no person is desirable, and there are 
a thousand ways in which any person of a re- 
vengeful spirit may be hurtful. There are also 
very few so unconnected but that they have many 
friends, whose hatred is to be encountered as well 
as their own. The influence of this is but too 
much seen in every place. Offenders are often 
screened from reproof or censure, through fear 
of provoking them or their relations. Neither is it 
at all difficult to find palliating arguments, drawn 
from prudence, or other considerations, to make 
us think it is necessary to forbear. 



196 DR. WITHERSPOON. 

" 3dly, Ministers of weak minds may be apt to 
sink under the opposition of the wicked. It is 
said of Lot, dwelling in Sodom, that he was, 
2 Peter ii. 7, 8, c Vexed with the filthy conversa- 
tion of the wicked: for that righteous man dwell- 
ing among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his 
righteous soul from day to day with their unlaw- 
ful deeds/ It certainly needs no small measure 
of fortitude and holy resolution, to persist in the 
discharge of our duty, notwithstanding the obsti- 
nacy of sinners, and to seek our comfort, under 
continual obloquy, from the approbation of him 
that judgeth righteously. 

" 4>thly, The opposition of wicked men may 
prove a temptation, as it may bring forth the re- 
mains of corruption that are in the hearts of good 
men, and make them sin, by imprudence or pas- 
sion, if not by resentment. I have nowhere sup- 
posed that ministers are faultless in their con- 
duct; they may, no doubt, err considerably in 
many circumstances, even when their intention 
upon the whole is just and laudable." 

The following paragraph occurs in the third 
part of the discourse — the practical improvement 
of the subject. Though it chiefly refers to the 
people's conduct, in reference to their minister, 
yet there is a valuable hint to ministers in the 
conclusion. But the paragraph is so replete with 
good sense, that I quote the whole of it. 



A TEST OF USEFULNESS. 197 

" Desire a faithful minister, do your utmost to 
obtain him, and then let it be your habitual study 
to profit by him. You have reason to be very 
thankful that your situation, in providence, is such 
as you may expect a minister who is a hearty 
friend to the gospel, and, at the same time, one 
who is agreeable to your own choice. Let me 
exhort you, as far as you are consulted in that 
matter, to make the choice with much calmness 
and prudence ; to look for one, not only sound in 
his principles, but of thorough knowledge and 
capacity, always preferring solid before specious 
parts. After having made the choice, endeavour 
to strengthen his .hands, and encourage his heart, 
in the Lord, by a careful attendance on his mi- 
nistry, and by a dutiful submission to instruction 
and reproof. You ought not to wish for one who 
will flatter you, nor ought you to lay such a temp- 
tation in a minister's way, as to show that you are 
pleased with being flattered. The best testimony 
that you can give to a minister is, to learn from 
him, and to obey him. This is infinitely better 
than noisy praise and admiration, according to 
the excellent remark of Bishop Burnet, ' That it 
is not the best sermon that makes the hearers go 
away talking to one another, and praising the 
speaker; but that which makes them go away 
thoughtful, and serious, and hastening to be 
alone.' Has a minister any evidently profane per- 
sons among his hearers ? If he cannot preach 



L9S DR. WITHERSPOON. 

them from sin to God, it were much more for his 
credit to preach so as that they are not able to 
hear him, but flee away for ease to their con- 
science, than to have them continue in wicked- 
ness, and yet praise him every day for an admir- 
able speaker or an able man." 



DR. ERSKINE. 



The name of Dr. Erskine is too well known, 
especially in the northern part of the island, to 
render any particular notice necessary in introduc- 
ing the following extracts. He was unquestion- 
ably one of the brightest ornaments of the church 
of Scotland. Connected with one of the most 
respectable families in the country, he chose the 
profession of a minister of the gospel entirely from 
attachment to the sacred employment, and through 
a long life eminently adorned the doctrine of God 
his Saviour. In 1818 an account of Dr. Erskine's 
life, or rather a work which may be said to com- 
prise an account of the ecclesiastical history of his 
time, was published by his intimate friend the 
Rev. Sir Henry Moncreiff Wellwood, Bart, in 
which a considerable variety of interesting infor- 
mation is to be found. Speaking of his Sermons, 
his able biographer very justly remarks, " If the 



200 DR. ERSKINE. 

simplicity of his style excludes the ornaments of 
an artificial structure, it is always clear, and never 
intricate. If his sentences are not anxiously or 
exactly measured, they are uniformly forcible, and 
never slovenly. He expresses himself always in 
the language of an acute and vigorous under- 
standing, which never misses the point which it 
professes to have in view; and which is seldom 
deficient, either in the perspicuity of its argument, 
or in the variety of its illustration.'* 

Dr. Erskine died in 1803, at the advanced age 
of eighty-two years. And as the volume of Ser- 
mons from which the following extracts are taken 
were published not many years before his death, 
they may be justly considered as containing the 
result of the matured observation and experience 
of their venerable author. 

The first extracts are from a sermon entitled 

MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL CAUTIONED AGAINST 
GIVING OFFENCE. 

The text is 2 Cor. vi. 3. " Giving no offence in 
any thing, that the ministry be not blamed." 

" It is not enough that we are not chargeable 
with scandalous wickedness. If we indulge our- 
selves jn practices of a suspicious nature ; venture 
to the utmost bounds of what is lawful ; needless- 
ly frequent the company of scoffers at religion ; 
or, at least, spend more of our leisure hours with 
the gay and thoughtless, than with sober serious 



PERSONAL CONDUCT. 201 

Christians; if our conduct betrays a crafty, poli- 
tical, intriguing spirit; if we discover no relish for 
retirement ; are often and unnecessarily in the ta- 
vern, seldom in the closet, and reserve little of 
our time for reading, meditation, and prayer ; if 
a word scarce ever drops from us in ordinary con- 
versation that can either instruct or edify, we 
transgress the precept of giving no offence. 
With whatever force of argument, and seeming 
warmth, we recommend from the pulpit heaven- 
ly mindedness and devotion, humility, self-denial, 
weanedness from the world, uprightness and in- 
tegrity, the careful improvement of time, and a 
tender circumspect life, few who observe our be- 
haviour will be charitable, or rather, will be blind 
enough, to fancy us in earnest. The judicious 
will shrewdly suspect that pleasure, gain, or ho- 
nour, is dearer to us than God's glory and the 
salvation of souls. Good men will be offended ; 
and even bad men, whatever they pretend, will 
in their hearts despise us. We move in a more 
exalted sphere than others ; and, if we would shine 
as lights of the world, had need to avoid every 
appearance of evil, and to consider well, not only 
what is just and pure, but what is lovely and of 
good report. Many things, abstractly consider- 
ed, may be lawful, which yet are not expedient, 
and edify not. Duty, indeed, sometimes obliges 
us to contradict the humours of our people. But 
it is neither acting a wise nor a good part to con-* 



202 DR. EltSKINE. 

tradict them for contradiction's sake. In matters 
indifferent, we should become all things to all 
men, that we may gain the more ; and deny our- 
selves the use of our lawful liberty, when, by in- 
dulging it, our brother would be stumbled, or 
offended, or made weak. 

" He bids fairest to preach with success, who 
preaches in words, not of man's wisdom, but which 
the Holy Ghost teacheth, comparing spiritual 
things with spiritual. The blessed Spirit sets his 
seal only to doctrines stamped with his own au- 
thority, and which flow from that sacred fountain 
unsullied and pure. The gospel, when mingled 
with human inventions, loses much of its native 
lustre, and, like adulterated milk, affords but scan- 
ty and unwholesome nourishment. An itch to 
say what is curious and uncommon, is a dangerous 
turn of mind in a teacher of Christianity. Com- 
mon truths are like common blessings — of most 
use, and of truest worth : and that is the best ser- 
mon which makes the grace of God sweet, salva- 
tion through Christ acceptable, sin ugly and hate- 
ful, and holiness amiable to the soul. 

" If they give just ground of offence who add 
to the word of God, they do it also who take from 
it. All God's words are right. There is nothing 
froward or perverse in them. Every doctrine and 
precept is wisely suited to promote God's glory 
and man's salvation, and was mercifully revealed 
for that very purpose. All scripture is given by 



DECLARE THE WHOLE TRUTH. 203 

inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, 
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in 
righteousness. Those entertain too high a con- 
ceit of their own penetration, and very mean ideas 
of the divine wisdom, who fancy it dangerous to 
preach what the blessed Spirit judged it proper 
to reveal. If we would keep back from our people 
nothing profitable, we must endeavour to declare 
to them the whole counsel of God. Concealing 
any part of that form of sound words which our 
commission directs us to publish, is unfaithfulness 
to God, and injustice to the souls of men. < He,' 
saith God, ' that hath my word, let him speak my 
word faithfully.' Jer. xxiii. 28. And again, \ All 
the words that I command thee to speak unto 
them, diminish not a word.' Jer. xxvi. 2. 

" As wise and faithful stewards, we must re- 
gard the whole family, and give to every one his 
proper portion : teaching the young and ignorant, 
in a plain familiar manner, the first principles of 
the oracles of God ; and dispensing strong meat 
to them of full age, who by reason of use have 
their senses exercised to discern both good and 
evil. The erroneous we must endeavour by sound 
reasoning to convince of their mistakes. We 
must unfold the strictness, spirituality, and ex- 
tent of God's law ; and display the awful sanctions 
that enforce it, to rouse from their spiritual le- 
thargy the secure and thoughtless, the bold and 
presumptuous, the proud and self-confident : 



201 DR. ERSKINE. 

awakened souls we must gently allure to Christ, 
by the sweet and free invitations of the gospel ; 
and believers we must exhort, by a faithful dis- 
charge of every duty, to adorn the doctrine of 
God their Saviour in all things. 

" Perhaps it is one chief occasion of our giving 
offence, by not declaring the whole counsel of 
God, that there are certain subjects peculiarly 
easy and agreeable to us, which, on that account, 
we are apt to imagine the most important, and to 
insist upon the most frequently. Lecturing usu- 
ally on large portions of scripture might be some 
remedy to this evil. Occasions would in that way 
soon present, of explaining every doctrine, and in- 
culcating every duty. Both we and our hearers 
would grow better acquainted with the lively ora- 
cles, and learn to read them more profitably. 
Besides, short occasional hints, which naturally 
arise in our ordinary course of expounding a gos- 
pel or epistle, may fall with weight on our hearers 
ere they are aware, and force conviction. Where- 
as, when the subject of a sermon is directly level- 
led against vulgar prejudices or fashionable vices, 
instantly the alarm is taken, and the mind strength- 
ens itself against evidence. The heart is a fort 
more easily taken by sap than by storm. 

" Ministers give offence when they preach not 
in a manner calculated to inform the judgment. 
Men are rational creatures, and if we would ad- 
dress them as such, the understanding should, as 



ADDRESS THE UNDERSTANDING. 20.5 

the leading power, be first applied to. For this 
purpose, we must clearly open and explain the 
truth, confirm it by arguments level to the capa- 
cities of our hearers, and do all this in plain fami- 
liar language, which even those in low life may 
easily understand. Christianity was designed for 
the peasant as well as the philosopher, and as the 
learned and wise make a small proportion of most 
congregations, to preach it in a way in which on- 
ly they are like to be the better for it, is highly 
offensive. 

" Alas ! my brethren, dull and pointless ar- 
rows are ill suited to pierce the conscience of 
hardened sinners. Soft and drowsy harangues, 
instead of rousing a secure generation, will rather 
increase their spiritual lethargy ; and a cold 
preacher will soon have a cold auditory.. Jesus 
has intrusted us with the concerns of his people, 
a people dearly bought, and greatly beloved ; we 
have to do with souls that must be happy or mi- 
serable for ever ; we address them in the name of 
God upon matters of infinite importance : and is 
it not an indignity to him, whose ambassadors we 
are, to execute our commission coolly, and as if 
half asleep ? Will it not tempt others to slight 
our message, if, by the manner of delivering it, 
we appear to slight it ourselves ? When our own 
hearts are most impressed with the inestimable 
worth of immortal souls ; when out of the abund- 
ance of the heart the mouth speaketh ; when our 
2 



206 DR. ERSKINE. 

sentiments, style, voice, and gesture discover how 
much we are in earnest : then we are most likely 
to touch the hearts of our hearers, and make 
them feel the force of what we say. 

" If we pay no regard to the souls of our 
charge, unless in the pulpit, and immediate pre- 
paration for it; if we seem indifferent how we 
stand in the esteem and affection of our people, 
or what is the success of our labours ; if we use 
not every proper method for conveying and che- 
rishing religious impressions, for preventing back- 
slidings, and for recovering those that have fallen, 
from their spiritual decays ; if we neglect to warn 
the unruly, to comfort them that mourn, to visit 
the afflicted, and to catechize the young and igno- 
rant, when we have any probable prospect that 
these services may be useful ; or if we manage our 
visits to the sick so incautiously, that bystanders 
are encouraged to put off thoughts of repentance 
to their last moments, and thereby sustain a hurt 
which any good done to the dying will seldom 
balance, we greatly fail of our duty, and are 
guilty of giving offence/' 



THE UNFAITHFUL AND FAITHFUL MINISTER CON- 
TRASTED. 

" Though his heavenly Master, who invested 
him with so honourable an office, is present and 



THE UNFAITHFUL MINISTER. 207 

observes his conduct^ he dares to be indolent in 
his service, and basely to betray his interest. He 
scruples not the most direct and horrible perjury, 
by violating the solemn engagements he came 
under, to take heed to the flock of which he was 
ordained an overseer. He feels no remorse for 
offending the Sovereign of Zion, by a neglect of 
duty, and a breach of trust, which, in his own ser- 
vant, or in the servant of an earthly sovereign, 
would have appeared to him infamous and detest- 
able. But possibly, when death is about to seal 
the eyes of his body, the eyes of his soul may be 
opened to perceive things as they really are. 
After having spent his life in doing the work of 
the Lord deceitfully, and pursuing the honours, 
riches, and pleasures of this world, not the glory 
of God and the salvation of souls, methinks I see 
him receive the awful summons, ' Give an account 
of thy stewardship, for thou mayest be no longer 
steward.' He feels himself about to be dragged 
to a state of misery, eternal and intolerable. 
Conscience awakes from its fatal slumber, and by 
the most cruel and insupportable reproaches, 
avenges his contempt of its old and long-forgot- 
ten remonstrances. His wonted arts of stilling 
this inward tormentor now lose their power. 
Fearfulness and trembling come upon him, and 
horror overwhelms him. Hell is naked before 
him, and destruction without a covering. And 
God, justly provoked, laughs at his calamity, and 



208 DR. ERSKINE. 

mocks when his fear cometh. Yet possibly an- 
other, equally unfaithful, may have no bonds in 
his death, and leave this world as he lived in it, 
thoughtless of God and duty, and regardless of 
eternity. But if dying does not, surely death 
shall, put an end to his peace. See him appear- 
ing before the tribunal of a now inexorable judge. 
Behold his countenance changed, his thoughts 
troubling him, the joints of his loins loosed, and 
his knees smiting one against another; when, lo! 
a voice more dreadful than thunder thus accosts 
him : ' Wicked and slothful servant, what hadst 
thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou 
shouldst take my covenant in thy mouth ; seeing 
thou hatest instruction, and castest my words be- 
hind thee ?' Mark a numerous flock ruined by 
his negligence or bad example. Listen to them 
calling for vengeance. The cry of their blood 
enters into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth ; and 
the irreversible doom is pronounced, ' Take him, 
bind him hand and foot, cast him into utter dark- 
ness ; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and 
gnashing of teeth.' 

" Turn away from this shocking scene, and ob- 
serve on the right hand of the Son of man a faith- 
ful pastor. Possibly his dying words were words 
of triumph and transport: e This is my rejoicing, 
the testimony of my conscience, that in simplicity 
and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but 
by the grace of God, I have had my conversation 



THE FAITHFUL MINISTER. 209 

in the world. I have fought a good fight, I have 
finished my course, I have kept the faith. Hence- 
forth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, 
which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give 
me at that day : and not to me only, but to all 
them also that love his appearing.' But with 
what superior joy does he lift up his head, when 
he rests from his labours, when his warfare is ac- 
complished, and the day of his complete redemp- 
tion dawns ! He walked with God in peace and 
equity, and did turn many away from iniquity. 
These he now presents to the great shepherd of 
the sheep, saying, 4 Behold me, and the children 
thou hast given me.' He is their rejoicing, and 
they also are his rejoicing, in the day of the Lord 
Jesus. Joyful to both was the sound of the gos- 
pel : but more joyful now is the final sentence, 
' Well done, good and faithful servant ; thou hast 
been faithful over a few things, I will make thee 
ruler over many things : enter thou into the joy 
of thy Lord.' 

" If therefore we have any zeal for the glory of 
God; if any regard for the interest of the Re- 
deemer's kingdom ; if any tender concern for the 
salvation of our hearers ; and if, in the great day 
of the Lord, we would not be found among them 
that offend and work iniquity, and after having 
prophesied in Christ's name, hear him pronounce 
against us the dreadful sentence, ' Depart from 
me, I know you not,' let us take heed to ourselves 
p 



210 DR. ERSKINE. 

and to our doctrine, and walk circumspectly, not 
as fools, but as wise ; giving no offence in any 
thing, that the ministry be not blamed. 

" Upon the whole, would we give no offence 
as men, as Christians, as ministers of Christ ; let 
us search out the sins and infirmities to which 
we are chiefly liable, that we may guard against 
these with peculiar care. In order to discover 
our weak side, let us duly regard the opinion 
others entertain of us. Let us not interpret 
friendly admonition as a disparagement and af- 
front, but thankfully receive it as a mark of un- 
feigned affection. Say, with David, ' Let the 
righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness ; and 
let him reprove me, it shall be as excellent oil 
which shall not break my head.' We are often 
blind to our own failings ; and happy are we, if 
we can engage some wise and good man, who 
tenderly regards our welfare, to point them out. 
But if we find none thus faithful and honest, let 
us wisely improve the accusations of enemies, and 
learn from them those blemishes and defects, to 
which, without the help of such ill-natured mo- 
nitors, we might have remained strangers. 

" With pure and upright intentions dedicate 
yourself to the service of God in the gospel of his 
Son. Take the oversight of the flock, not by 
constraint, but willingly ; not for filthy lucre, but 
of a ready mind. To use the words of another 
on a like occasion, c You had better be the off- 



OF DILIGENCE AND FIDELITY. 211 

scouring of all flesh, than preach to gain the vain 
applause of your fellow-worms. You had better 
beg your bread, than enter upon the ministry as 
a trade to live by. However those may live who 
act from no higher principle, it will be dreadful 
dying for them, and more dreadful appearing be- 
fore their judge/ Expect, therefore, your re- 
ward from God only. Resolve, in divine strength, 
at no time to use flattering words or a cloak of 
covetousness ; neither of man to seek glory, but 
ever to speak and act, not as pleasing men, but 
God, which trieth the heart. 

" Be diligent and faithful in the actual dis- 
charge of your office. Take heed to the ministry 
thou hast received of the Lord, that thou fulfil it. 
The longest life quickly hastens to a period ; your 
time for service swiftly flies away, and will soon 
be irrecoverably past and gone ; work, therefore, 
the work of him that sent you while it is day. 
The night cometh when no man can work. Make 
full proof of thy ministry. Think not that per- 
forming one branch of duty will atone for neglect- 
ing another; but, in so far as time and strength 
permit, attend upon each in its proper season. 

" Allot the greatest proportion of your time to 
those parts of your work, public or private, that 
are most essential and important. Preach the 
word, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuf- 
fering. Study your sermons well, and beware of 
offering to God and his people that which costs 



*12 DR. KRSKINE. 

you nothing. Endeavour to be thoroughly ac- 
quainted with the circumstances and dispositions 
of your hearers, their prejudices against religion, 
and the rocks on which their souls are in most 
hazard of being shipwrecked. Suit your dis- 
courses to their various necessities. Study to 
show thyself approved unto God, a workman that 
needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the 
word of truth. Seek out and set in order ac- 
ceptable words ; and when about to prepare for 
the pulpit, beg the direction of the Spirit in choos- 
ing a subject, his assistance in composing and de- 
livering your sermon, and his blessing to render 
it effectual. Arrows thus fetched from heaven 
bid fairest to reach the cases of your hearers, and 
to pierce their hearts. 

" Take heed to yourself as well as to your doc- 
trine Let your life testify that you believe what 
you preach* Be wise as a serpent, harmless as a 
dove. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into 
temptation. Fly youthful lusts : but be a pattern 
to believers, in words, in conversation, in charity, 
in spirit, in faith, in purity. Win the affection of 
all by an obliging courteous behaviour; and by 
preserving a suitable dignity of character secure 
their esteem. An affable condescending manner 
has often recommended a bad cause; and sour- 
ness and ill-nature have raised unconquerable pre- 
judices against many a good one. The wrath of 
man worketh not the righteousness of God. The 



MEEKNESS AND ZEAL COMBINED. 213 

servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle 
to all men, patient, in meekness instructing those 
that oppose themselves, if God, peradventure, 
will give them repentance to the acknowledgment 
of the truth. — But though meekness should tem- 
per your zeal, remember that zeal in return 
should enliven your meekness. You enter on the 
ministry in a day in which iniquity abounds, and 
the love of many waxes cold. The peculiar doc- 
trines of Christianity are run down and opposed, 
and a tender circumspect behaviour ridiculed, by 
many who value themselves as standards of ge- 
nius or politeness. In such a day, exert your 
courage to stem that torrent of infidelity and vice, 
which threatens to break in upon us and destroy 
every thing valuable. Contend earnestly for the 
faith once delivered to the saints. Be not asham- 
ed of Christ's words and ways in an adulterous 
and perverse generation, lest the Son of man be 
ashamed of you, when he cometh in the glory of 
his Father, with the holy angels. 

" He who wishes to be faithful and successful in 
the work of the ministry studies and delivers ser- 
mons on the unsatisfying nature and uncertain con- 
tinuance of worldly enjoyments; on the value of 
time, and on the awfulness of death, judgment, and 
eternity. The truths suggested on these, and other 
important subjects, deeply impress his heart. 
While watering others he himself also is watered. 
When he visits the chambers of the dying, the 



214 DR. ERSKINE. 

triumphs of the believer, and sometimes the terrors, 
though perhaps more frequently the stupidity, of 
the impenitent, awaken his tenderest feelings. By 
the joyful, or by the sorrowful countenances he be- 
holds, his heart is made better. Painful experi- 
ence of the imperfections and blemishes of his 
own character, and observation of the general 
depravity of mankind, and of the follies, weaknes- 
ses, and transgressions, from which even the best 
are not free, stimulate him to the prayer of faith 
for a larger measure of the influences of the bles- 
sed Spirit. His prayers are accepted on God's 
altar : and if the contradiction and opposition of 
men, who go on frowardly in the way of their 
own hearts, often try, they often also improve his 
meekness, forgiveness, and Christian compassion. 
" Till your blessed Master call you from your 
services give attendance to reading as well as to 
exhortation and doctrine. Meditate on divine 
things ; give thyself wholly to them, that thy pro- 
fiting may appear unto all. Cultivate and im- 
prove your talents, in as far as duties higher and 
more immediately necessary allow. Keep in re- 
membrance every branch of knowledge which 
may promote your usefulness as a public teacher. 
Despise not materials for instruction, from the 
volumes of nature and of providence, the know- 
ledge of the world, and acquaintance with your 
own heart. But let the sacred oracles be your 
chief study. Enter as far as possible into their 



STUDY OF THE SCRIPTURES. 215 

meaning, design, and spirit, that, as a scribe in- 
structed unto the kingdom of heaven, you may 
bring out of your treasures things new and old. 

" Let the subjects of your sermons be import- 
ant, suited to the occasions on which you preach, 
and calculated, according to the opinions, cha- 
racters, and situations of your hearers, to remove 
their prejudices, correct their errors, and rectify 
what is wrong in their temper and conduct, — 
When you have chosen a text, ascertain the 
meaning of it from the scope of the inspired 
writer, and the sense in which he generally uses 
particular expressions. It argues either poverty 
of genius, or culpable inattention, when preach- 
ers wander from the particular subject of their 
text to some common-place dissertation, which 
would equally suit a hundred other passages of 
scripture, if discoursed in that manner. 

" Pay peculiar attention to the lambs of the 
flock. Sow the seed of knowledge when the soil 
is comparatively soft, and there are fewer thorns 
to check its growth. Your labour will be less 
pleasant, and probably less successful, when an 
enemy hath sown tares, or when, for want of cul- 
ture, the field is overgrown with weeds. 

" Form connexions with the wise, the benevo- 
lent, the pious. Yet call no man master, and de- 
pend on no human authority. Often lift up your 
eyes to your heavenly Father, to fill you with 
treasures of knowledge and of grace, to direct and 



6 il<> DR. fiKSKlNE. 

assist you in your studies and labours, and to 
crown them with success. 

" Let earnest prayers for.the down-pouring of 
the Spirit on your hearers precede and follow 
your sermons. If the rain of divine influence is 
restrained, though you could preach with the zeal 
of a Paul, or the eloquence of an Apollos, none 
of the wicked would understand, and return, and 
live. 

. " Preach the word ; be instant in season, and 
out of season ; reprove, rebuke ; exhort with all 
longsufFering and doctrine. Administer reproof 
with tenderness, delicacy, and meekness, yet, 
when necessary to give it force, with plain and 
undisguised freedom. Remember, however, that 
there are times and places when wisdom forbids 
your rebuking a hard-hearted scorner, lest, when 
you give that which is holy to dogs, and cast your 
pearls before swine, they trample them under foot 
and return and rent you. Though your disposi- 
tions, talents, and ministerial services have found 
favourable acceptance with those whose senti- 
ments you justly value, be not high-minded. 
Often reflect that you have nothing which you 
have not received; and that it is a little thing to 
be judged of man's judgment. Never lose sight 
of those imperfections and defects which, though 
others cannot, you can discern in yourself; and 
pray, with a great prophet and prince, ' Enter 



PROPER SUBJECTS FOR SERMONS. 217 

not into judgment with thy servant : what I know 
not teach thou me.' " 



The title of the discourse from which the fol- 
lowing extracts are taken is 

DIFFICULTIES OF THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

It is founded on 2 Cor. ii. 10. " Who is sufficient 
for these things?" 

" Christ crucified, and salvation through him ; 
the law, as a schoolmaster, to bring men to Christy 
and exhorting the disciples of Jesus to adorn his 
doctrine, by the conscientious performance of 
every duty, ought to be the chief subjects of our 
sermons. A comprehensive knowledge of Christ- 
ian faith and practice, and an ability to read and 
understand the scriptures in the languages in 
which they were originally writ, are highly im- 
portant, if we would be ready scribes, instructed 
unto the kingdom of heaven, and, like unto a man 
that is a householder, able to bring out of our 
treasures things new and old. Inspiration and 
miraculous gifts are now ceased ; and therefore 
much time must be spent in reading and medita- 
tion, in order to attain such knowledge. And 
yet our utmost diligence and application poorly 
qualify us for rightly expounding the sacred ora- 
cles, unless, through divine teachings, we imbibe 
the sentiments and spirit of their inspired pen- 



218 DR. ERSK1NE. 

men. Nay, an union of speculative and experi- 
mental knowledge, though necessary, is not suf- 
ficient to qualify for preaching usefully. Know- 
ledge is one thing, and a faculty of imparting it 
to others, and of improving it for their benefit, is 
quite another. 

" Great skill is requisite to explain the sublime 
mysteries of our holy faith, to unfold their mutual 
connexions and dependencies, and so to demon- 
strate their certainty, that the sincere lover of 
truth may be convinced, and even the captious 
silenced. Great penetration is requisite to search 
the secret foldings of the understanding and 
heart ; to trace the various sources of error and 
vice ; and when we have detected them, neither, 
by overlooking the reasonings of infidels and pro- 
fligates, to give them a handle for boasting that 
they are unanswerable ; nor, by mentioning them 
without necessity, or weakly answering them, to 
betray the cause we mean to defend. 

'" Add to all this, that the genius, spiritual con- 
dition, and outward circumstances of our hearers 
are various ; and a manner of address proper for 
some would be very improper for others. The 
secure must be alarmed, the ignorant enlighten- 
ed, the wounded in spirit led to the Physician of 
souls, the tempted fortified against temptation, 
the doubting resolved, the weak strengthened, the 
backslider reclaimed, and the mourner in Zion 
comforted. Even those truths which are the 



DIFFICULTY OF USEFUL PREACHING. 219 

common nourishment of all must be differently 
dressed and seasoned. Ministers are debtors to 
the wise and to the unwise, to the young and to 
the old, to the bond and to the free. But how 
difficult is it to discharge that debt, and, as wise 
and faithful stewards, to distribute to every one 
his portion of food in due season ! Little pains 
may serve to display criticism and literature on 
subjects which do not need them, or without oc- 
casion to plunge so deep in abstract philosophical 
speculations, that the bulk of an audience shall 
lose sight of us. But it is incomparably more 
difficult to compose a popular discourse in a style 
plain, elegant, nervous, grave, and animated ; 
neither bombast nor groveling; neither scrupu- 
lously exact nor sordidly negligent. Humble 
prayers and much preparation is necessary for 
that edifying strain of preaching, where the sen- 
timents natively flow from the subject, and are all 
solid, useful, and calculated to strike; where 
every head, and every thing said by way of en- 
largement, is ranged in its proper order ; and 
where the turn of thought and expression is scrip- 
tural and devout, natural and unaffected, sweet 
and insinuating, tender and affectionate. 

" It is one important branch of our work to 
instruct and catechise the young and ignorant in 
the first principles of religion, seeing, without this 
knowledge, the heart cannot be good. If child- 
hood and youth are left to their natural ignorance 



22Q DR. ERSKINE. 

and vanity, manhood and old age will be gene- 
rally unprofitable ; and sermons, however excel- 
lent, will prove of little service, because they can- 
not be understood without the previous knowledge 
of these first principles of religion. Christ has 
therefore solemnly enjoined us to feed his lambs. 
We are bound to nourish up children in the 
words of faith, and of sound doctrine ; and expe- 
rience shows, that plain and short questions and 
answers are the most effectual way of gradually 
instilling religious instruction into tender minds. 
We must feed them with milk, and not with strong 
meat, which, as yet, they are unable to bear : not 
discouraging them at their first outset, by oblig- 
ing them to learn a multitude of words they in no 
degree understand ; but adapting ourselves to the 
weakness of their capacity, beginning with the 
history of the Bible, the more necessary articles 
of our holy faith, and the plainer and more gene- 
ral precepts of Christian morals. Haughty looks 
or an angry tone may increase their aversion to 
what is serious, and make them eager to get rid 
of us ; but an insinuating and agreeable manner 
may gain their affection, and make religion ap- 
pear to them venerable and lovely. Familiar 
comparisons, examples from history, and appeals 
to conscience, must often illustrate and enforce 
these instructions. To impress all on their minds, 
tedious as it may seem, at one time the same 
sentiments, and even words must be repeated 



INSTRUCTING THE YOUNG. 221 

over and over again, and at other times the same 
sentiment presented in various points of light, 
that the young learner may not mistake our mean- 
ing, or remain unaffected. For doing all this, 
prudence, gravity, condescension, meekness, pa- 
tience, are requisite. Perhaps, all things weigh- 
ed, it is more difficult to cathechise than to preach 
well. It might greatly promote the interests of 
religion, if men of eminent piety and abilities were 
set apart to give themselves wholly to this im- 
portant work, for which the other duties of mi- 
nisters leave them too little or no leisure. 

" Parochial visitation, if managed in a way 
easy to plan, I will not say easy to execute, 
would be equally useful. But a formal visit 
once in a year, with a short prayer, and a few 
general advices, is, I am afraid, a bodily ex- 
ercise which profiteth little. It is a weariness 
to the flesh, of small service to the great ends of 
our office, unless as it affords some opportunity 
to gain the affection of those intrusted to our 
care ; and this it will hardly do, if we do not car- 
ry our connexion and intercourse with them be- 
yond these formalities, gladly lending them our 
friendly aid when it may any how advance their 
spiritual welfare, and in such cases, not overlook- 
ing even the meanest and poorest of our people. 
The discovering a pure disinterested affection, a 
sincere desire to oblige, and a good stock of dis- 
cretion, candour, and charity, encourages them to 



222 DR. ERSKINE. 

unbosom to us their spiritual joys and griefs, to 
ask our counsel in their perplexities, and freely 
to impart to us their doubts and objections against 
religion. Thus we may learn their various cir- 
cumstances, and instruct, exhort, reprove, and 
comfort them accordingly. Sermons like arrows 
shot at a venture seldom hit the mark, when we 
know not the character of our hearers ; and, in 
many instances, our knowledge of their character 
must be imperfect, if we contract no familiarity 
with them. Much good, however, might be done 
even by civil visits, could we learn the art of be- 
ing grave without affectation, and cheerful with- 
out levity ; never leaving a company without drop- 
ping something to render them wiser or better. 

" There are, however, circumstances in which 
our visits are peculiarly seasonable. Sometimes, 
when families are favoured with signal mercies 
and deliverances, our advice may restrain their 
joy within proper bounds; remind them of the 
precarious nature of temporal comforts ; and ex- 
cite a thankful sense and a suitable improvement 
of God's goodness. But our visits bid fairest to 
be acceptable, and if wisely improved, useful too, 
when God brings upon a family afflictive provi- 
dences, or when the Lord maketh the heart soft, 
and the Almighty troubleth it. The mind is then 
more susceptible of serious impressions, and 
hearkens with avidity to what in the day of pros- 
perity was despised. Yet, so various are the ouU 

1 



VISITING THE AFFLICTED. 223 

ward troubles and inward distresses of mankind, 
that almost every day we meet with cases wholly 
new to us, and which we are quite at a loss how- 
to manage. So opposite too are the opinions and 
tempers of people in distress, that what is best 
calculated to strike one, makes not the least im- 
pression on another; and what is necessary to 
rouse one from security, would sink another in 
despair. Security, however, is the more com- 
mon and dangerous extreme; and too great in- 
dulgence has worse consequences than too great 
severity. They, therefore, mistake it greatly, who 
send for ministers on a death-bed, only to speak 
to them the language of comfort, and to pray for 
mercy to their souls. Promising pardon to those 
who feel not their spiritual maladies, is saying, 
Peace, peace, when there is no peace. But men 
love to be flattered and deceived ; and, therefore, 
one's being much sent for by people of all cha- 
racters to visit the sick, is a presumption he has 
no great talent of rousing their consciences. Af- 
ter all, where the concerns of the soul have been 
neglected to a death-bed, it is to be feared that 
such visits are oftener pernicious to the healthy 
than profitable to the diseased. We ought not, 
however, to neglect them ; because diseases which 
wear the most threatening aspect may not prove 
mortal ; because the call of the gospel extends to 
every living man; and because this, when pru- 
dently managed, is a proper opportunity to warn 



2M OR. ERSKINE. 

bystanders not to defer the work of conversion to 
so unfit a season. 

" Reconciling differences is a work highly suit- 
able to the character of ambassadors of the Prince 
of peace. Not that it becomes them to be judges 
and dividers in matters of property ; but when un- 
happy differences arise betwixt Christian friends, 
the pastors of a church should do their best time- 
ously to cement them. I say, timeously; for di- 
visions, like diseases, when neglected in their first 
beginnings, become incurable; and evil-minded 
people, who delight in sowing tares, or in water- 
ing them where already sown, will not be want- 
ing to insinuate that such an affront, or such a 
neglect, is unsupportable : so that we cannot be 
too speedy in fortifying the parties at variance 
against these malicious artifices, provided we have 
got a firm hold of their esteem and confidence, 
and fully convinced them, we mean our advice 
for their mutual benefit. To conduct our friend- 
ly offices with success, we must beware of dis- 
covering partiality, by listening too favourably to 
one side of the question. When a superior is in 
the wrong, we must not diminish the respect due 
to his station, by saying so too bluntly in the pre- 
sence of his inferior, but rather take him aside, 
and endeavour privately to convince him of his 
fault. Nor, when parties are together, ought we 
to suffer them to debate the cause of their differ- 
ences. This would generally tend to widen the 



ON ADMINISTERING REPROOF. 225 

breach, and to imbitter and chafe their spirits 
more than before. We should rather advise them 
to demean themselves as the disciples of Jesus, 
by forgetting and forgiving what is past. 

" In private reproof, what zeal for God, and 
what tender compassion for perishing souls is need- 
ful, to overcome that aversion every good-natured 
man must feel to tell another he has done amiss, 
and which every wise man must feel to offend or to 
distress those whose friendship he values ! What 
skill, to temper severity with mildness, and to pro- 
portion our censures to the degree of the fault, 
and to the character and circumstances of the 
offender ! What prudence, to seize the properest 
season, and to choose the fittest manner, of ad- 
ministering this bitter medicine ! What presence 
of mind, to detect the weakness of those pretences, 
by which the reproved would vindicate his con- 
duct ! 

" There is another duty, incumbent on minis- 
ters as such, more difficult than any I have yet 
mentioned ; and that is, to show themselves pat- 
terns of good works, Tit. ii. 7, and to be examples 
to others in word, in conversation, in charity, in 
spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Tim. iv. 12. The 
setting a good example is not only a moral duty, 
incumbent on them in common with others, but 
seems given them in charge, as a part of their 
sacred office, and an instituted mean for saving 
of souls. Hence Paul enjoins Timothy, 1 Tim, 
Q 



22G DR. ERSK1NE. 

iv. 16, * Take heed to thyself and to thy doctrine ; 
for in doing this, thou shalt both save thyself and 
them that hear thee/ A holy exemplary behaviour 
gives a force and energy to sermons, which learn- 
ing, genius, and eloquence, could never have pro- 
cured them. When a minister's life proves that he 
is in earnest, his admonitions strike with authori- 
ty on the conscience, and sink deep into the heart, 
while the strongest reasonings against sin have 
little effect, if hearers can apply the bitter pro- 
verb, 6 Physician, heal thyself.' 

" Ministers, as guides to their flock, should not 
only cautiously avoid what is in itself unlawful, 
but what, if practised by others, would prove to 
them a probable occasion of stumbling. Many 
things have no intrinsic evil, and yet are so near 
the confines of vice, that uncommon prudence is 
necessary to indulge in them without being defil- 
ed. As such prudence is extremely rare, minis- 
ters, ere they give any practice the sanction of 
their example, had need to examine, not only 
what is safe for them in particular, but what is 
safe for that flock of Christ, to which they ought 
to be patterns and guides. When travelling 
alone we may choose the shortest and most con- 
venient road, though it be somewhat slippery and 
dangerous, provided we are conscious we have 
prudence enough to guard against those dangers. 
But he must be a merciless and unfaithful guide, 
who, knowing that a number of weak thoughtless 



DIFFICULTIES OF THE MINISTRY. 227 

children would follow his footsteps, should choose 
a path, safe to himself, but in which it was mo- 
rally certain the greatest part of his followers 
would stumble and fall. This adds considerably 
to the difficulties of our office ; not only as all 
restraints are in their own nature burdensome, 
but as it is often hard to resist the importunity of 
those who traduce our caution, as a being righte- 
ous overmuch. 

" Justly did the pious Leighton observe, that 
even the best would have cause to faint and give 
over in it, (the Christian ministry) were not our 
Lord the chief shepherd, were not all our suffi- 
ciency laid up in his richfulness, and all our in- 
sufficiency covered in his gracious acceptance. 

" But our chief danger arises from indwelling 
corruption. Our office obliges us to preach and 
pray on many occasions when our frames are dull 
and languid. Hence, there is a danger lest we 
grow accustomed to speak of God, and Christ, 
and eternity, without feeling the importance of 
what we speak, and realizing our own concern in 
it. If we fall into such a habit, the most striking 
truths, preached by ourselves or others, make 
no impression upon us ; and that quick and power- 
ful word, which ought to recover from deadness 
and formality, loses its power and energy. Thus 
we go on from evil to worse ; have no relish for 
our work ; do as little in it as we possibly can, 
and do that little without spirit : drawing nigh to 



228 DR. ERSKINE. 

God with the mouth, and honouring him with 
the lip, while the heart is far from him. Minis- 
ters ought to be men of superior knowledge. But 
too often superior knowledge produces contempt 
of others, and puffeth up with pride and self-con- 
ceit. Pride inclines us stiffly to maintain an er- 
ror we have once asserted, even in spite of the 
clearest evidence against it ; to compose sermons, 
with a view to our own honour rather than the 
glory of God and edification of souls ; and hence, 
to make an idle show of learning, genius, or elo- 
quence, which, though it pleases the ear, neither 
enlightens the understanding nor affects the 
heart. Flattery greatly strengthens this self-con- 
ceit. When that intoxicating poison is artfully 
conveyed, few are entirely proof against it. 
Though persons applaud us who are no compe- 
tent judges, or whose heart is at variance with 
their lips, self-conceit regards their praise as well 
founded. 

" If we escape this rock, the opposite extreme 
of discouragement may have a fatal influence. 
Some, through too close application to study, 
contract unhappy disorders in their blood and 
spirits; and Satan takes advantage of this, to 
raise a world of darkness and confusion in their 
minds ; so that they are pressed out of measure, 
and ready to sink under their burden. God may 
write bitter things against us, and cause us to 
possess the iniquities of our youth. Possibly, 



DEPRESSION OF MIND, 229 

some special opportunity of serving God was af- 
forded us and neglected ; or, as Solomon, we may 
have forsaken him, after he hath spoken to us 
twice. By this, the Comforter, which should 
comfort our souls, is provoked to withdraw, and 
to leave us for a long season in a languishing 
frame. Thus we go mourning without the sun, 
our feet lame, our knees feeble, our hands hang- 
ing down. Performing any difficult duty ap- 
pears impossible ; and even the grasshopper is 
a burden. 

" After a series of years spent in vigorous en- 
deavours to promote the cause of truth and holi- 
ness, ignorance, profanity, and contempt of the 
gospel too often continue to prevail. From the 
pulpit, and in private too, we address our hearers 
in the warmest manner : but we preach, and pray, 
and watch, and labour in vain. He that was un- 
clean, is unclean still ; and he that was filthy, 
filthy still. We are ready to say, Why exert 
ourselves thus to no purpose ? Why cultivate a 
soil, which, after our utmost care, remains bar- 
ren ? Hence, ministers, after laudable diligence 
in the first years of their ministry, are in danger 
of sparing themselves overmuch, and of doing 
little in the duties of their office, save what decen- 
cy and character constrain them to do. The 
temptation gains additional force, when those 
among whom we have faithfully laboured fail in 
due gratitude and respect, and discover an eager- 



230 DR. ERSKINE. 

ness to pick faults in our sermons or private be- 
haviour. Though we act with the purest inten- 
tions, every thing is taken by a wrong handle, 
and sure to displease. This froward censorious 
spirit our Lord beautifully describes, Luke vii. 
31 — 35. Conscious that we merit better treat- 
ment, we sometimes peevishly take pet at the pub- 
lic ; and when we find they are resolved to blame 
even without cause, become less concerned to 
avoid just cause of censure. 

" Once more. — As we grow older, aversion to 
fatigue, and love of ease, grow upon us, and often 
lead us to neglect or delay our duty, when some 
motive stronger than indolence does not push us 
on to the discharge of it. Nay, indolence, feeble 
and languishing as it seems, often triumphs over 
the more violent passions ; and as it restrains bad 
men from much wickedness, so it hinders the ser- 
vants of Christ from doing a deal of good which 
it might and ought to have done. It puts off till 
to-morrow what had better been dispatched to- 
day. To study a subject to the bottom, and to 
compose with exactness, is such a fatigue, that if 
we have a certain readiness of expression, we are 
apt to get rid of it, and to venture into the pulpit 
with little preparation. It is hard to resist this 
bias, to prosecute studies which, though neces- 
sary, are perhaps unpleasant; to allow a suitable 
proportion of time to every different duty ; and 
resolutely to employ our precious hours to the 



PERSEVERANCE IN STUDY. 231 

best advantage. And when indolence, by long 
habit, has acquired force, the overcoming it is 
next to impossible. 

" It is an honourable, but it is also a laborious 
and arduous service : and no man, by his own 
strength, is sufficient for it. How vain then, and 
presumptuous, are such who, depending on their 
natural abilities, hastily thrust themselves into the 
sacred office, without spending suitable time in 
preparatory studies, and without any eye to Christ 
to assist, to accept, and to prosper their labours ! 
What can be expected but that, being unlearned 
and unstable, they should wrest the scripture to 
the destruction of themselves and others ? Even 
men of the most distinguished talents and purest 
zeal, when they survey the extent and importance 
of their charge, and the strict account they must 
one day give of their stewardship, have cause, 
with Moses, exceedingly to quake and fear; and 
with David, to plead, i Enter not, O Lord, into 
judgment with thy servant; for in thy sight, no 
flesh living shall be justified.' How dreadful, 
then, to engage in such work, without delight 
in it, fitness for it, or regard for its great end and 
design ! 

" If my heart deceived me not, my ends in en- 
tering into the ministry were pure and disinterest- 
ed. I have seen no cause to repent my choice of 
a profession. I am not ashamed of the gospel of 



232 DR. ERSKINE. 

Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation 
to every one that believeth. I esteem it my ho- 
nour and happiness to preach the unsearchable 
riches of Christ. But I lament that I entered on 
the sacred function ere I had spent one-fourth of 
the time in reading, in meditation, and in devo- 
tional exercises, which would have been neces- 
sary, in any tolerable degree, to qualify me for 
it. I have made some feeble efforts to supply 
these defects. But, besides the public duties of 
my office, and a variety of unavoidable avocations, 
indolence of temper, the employing too much 
time in studies or labours less important, and 
other culpable causes, partly formerly hinted, 
partly needless or improper to be mentioned, 
have been considerable bars in the way of my 
success. Ye who now enjoy the golden season of 
youth, be careful to improve it to better purposes. 
The advantages you now have for acquiring gifts 
and grace may never return in any future period. 
6i God has given me a charge, to meditate on 
divine things, and give myself wholly to them : 
and friends and innocent recreations must not 
claim those hours which ought to be consecrated 
to God and his people. I would say to friends, I 
would say to innocent recreations, as Nehemiah 
to Sanballat, ' I am doing a great work, so that 
I cannot come down : why should the work cease, 
whilst I leave it, and come down to you ?' Neh, 



DEVOTEDNESS TO THE MINISTRY. 233 

vi. 3. If the apostles thought it unreasonable to 
leave the word of God, in order to redress abuses 
committed in administrating the alms of the 
church, shall we leave it for causes of a less 
worthy nature ?" 

It will help to explain some of the expressions 
in these extracts to remark, that this discourse 
was delivered on Dr. Erskine's entering on his 
pastoral duties in the New Grayfriars church, 
when he came to Edinburgh. In the conclusion 
of the discourse he thus addresses those who were 
placed under his ministry : — 

" Send up your warmest addresses to the Fa- 
ther of lights, from whom cometh every good and 
perfect gift, that his grace may be sufficient for 
me, and his strength perfected in my weakness : 
that in my closet he would enable me to incline 
my ear to wisdom, and to apply my heart to un- 
derstanding ; yea, to cry after knowledge, and lift 
up my voice for understanding ; to seek her as 
silver, and to search for her as for hid treasures : 
that in the pulpit, and in the more private duties 
of my office, he would touch my cold heart and 
faltering lips with a live coal from his altar, and 
give me the tongue of the learned, to speak words 
in season to every soul ; that the law of truth may 
be in my mouth, and no iniquity found in my lips : 
that I may walk with God in peace and equi- 



234 DR. ERSKINE. 

ty, and turn many away from iniquity. Brethren, 
pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have 
free course and be glorified ; and that we may be 
delivered from wicked and unreasonable men ; 
for all men have not faith. 2 Thess. iii. 1, 2. 
Pray always, with all prayer and supplication in 
the spirit ; and watch thereto, with all perseve- 
rance and supplication for all saints ; and for me, 
that utterance may be given unto me, that I may 
open my mouth boldly, to make known the mys- 
tery of the gospel. Eph. vi. 18, 19. Moreover, 
as for me, God forbid that I should sin against 
the Lord, in ceasing to pray for you : but I will 
teach you, through divine strength, the good and 
the right way. For my friends and brethren's 
sake, I will now say, Peace be within you ; and 
because of the house of the Lord our God, I will 
seek your good. I conclude with the prayer of 
the Psalmist, Ps. li. 9 — 13, 15, ' Hide thy face 
from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 
Create in me a clean heart, O God ; and renew a 
right spirit within me. Cast me not away from 
thy presence, and take not thy holy spirit from 
me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation ; and 
uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I 
teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall 
be converted unto thee. O Lord, open thou my 
1 ips, and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.' " 



REV. HENRY MARTYN. 



Who that has paid the slightest attention to the 
various works of Christian biography, which have 
appeared within these last years, has not read 
with peculiar interest the life of that eminent ser- 
vant of God, the late Henry Martyn, the zealous, 
self-denied, and indefatigable missionary in India 
and Persia, and the well-known translator of the 
New Testament into the Persian language? I mean 
not here to enter into a detail of his eventful and 
affecting history, but shall extract such passages 
of his memoirs as more particularly relate to the 
duties of the Christian ministry, and as may sug- 
gest useful hints respecting that spirit of holy de- 
votedness to the service of God, and tender com- 
passion for the souls of men, with which these 
duties ought to be discharged. 



236 HENRY MARTYN. 

MR. MARTYRS STATE WHILE AT COLLEGE. 

" The tenor of Henry Martyn's life during this 
and the succeeding year he passed at college, was 
to the eye of the world in the highest degree ami- 
able and commendable. He was outwardly mo- 
ral, with little exception was unwearied in appli- 
cation, and exhibited marks of no ordinary talent. 
But whatever may have been his external conduct, 
and whatever his capacity in literary pursuits, he 
seems to have been totally ignorant of spiritual 
things, and to have lived 'without God in the 
world.' The consideration, that God chiefly re- 
gards the motives of our actions, — a consideration 
so momentous, and so essential to the character of 
a real Christian, appears as yet never to have en- 
tered his mind : and even when it did, as was the 
case at this time, it rested there as a theoretic no- 
tion never to be reduced to practice. His own 
account of himself is very striking. Speaking of 
June 1799, he says, ' # * * (a friend alluded to 
before) attempted to persuade me that I ought to 
attend to reading, not for the praise of men, but 
for the glory of God. This seemed strange to 
me, but reasonable. I resolved, therefore, to 
maintain this opinion thenceforth ; but never de- 
signed, that I remember, that it should affect my 
conduct. 1 What a decisive mark this of an unre- 
newed mind !- — What an affecting proof that light 



WAY OF SPENDING HIS TIME. 237 

may break in on the understanding, whilst there 
is not so much as the dawn of it on the heart !" 



THE MANNER IN WHICH HE SPENT HIS TIME. 

" Rose at six, and passed the morning in great 
tranquillity. Learnt by heart some of the three 
first chapters of Revelations. This is to me the 
most searching and alarming part of the Bible ; 
yet now with humbling hope I trusted, that the 
censures of my Lord did not belong to me ; ex- 
cept that those words, Rev. ii. 3, ' For my name's 
sake thou hast laboured and hast not fainted,' 
were far too high a testimony for me to think of 
appropriating to myself; nevertheless I besought 
the Lord, that whatever I had been, I might now 
be perfect and complete in all the will of God. — 
Men frequently admire me, and I am pleased, but 
I abhor the pleasure I feel ; oh ! did they but 
know that my root is rottenness ! Heard Pro- 
fessor Farish preach at Trinity Church, on Luke 
xii. 4, 5, and was deeply impressed with the rea- 
sonableness and necessity of the fear of God. 
Felt it to be a light matter to be judged of man's 
judgment ; why have I not awful apprehensions 
of the glorious Being at all times ? The parti- 
cular promise, ' him that overcometh will I make 
a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go 
no more out,' &c. dwelt a long time on my mind, 



238 HENRY MARTYN. 

and diffused an affectionate reverence of God. 
I see a great work before me now, namely, the 
subduing and mortifying of my perverted will. 
What am I that I should dare to do my own will, 
even if I were not a sinner ? — but now how plain, 
how reasonable to have the love of Christ con- 
straining me to be his faithful willing servant, 
cheerfully taking up the cross he shall appoint 
me." 



HIS DEEP HUMILITY AND TENDERNESS OF CON- 
SCIENCE. 

" If God's word did not unequivocally declare 
the desperate wickedness of the heart, I should 
sink down in despair. Nothing but infinite grace 
can save me. But that which most grieves me 
is, that I am not humbled at the contemplation 
of myself. 

" When 1 look back on every day, I may say 
I have lost it r So much time mispent; so many 
opportunities lost of doing good, by spreading the 
knowledge of the truth by conversation, by ex- 
ample ; so little zeal for God, or love to man ; so 
much vanity, and levity, and pride, and selfish- 
ness, that I may well tremble at the world of ini- 
quity within. If ever I am saved it must be by 
grace. May God give me a humble, contrite, 



HIS DEEP HUMILITY. 239 

childlike, affectionate spirit, and a willingness to 
forego my ease continually for his service. 

" What is my Journal but a transcript of my 
follies? What else is the usual state of my mind 
but weakness, vanity, and sin ? O that I could 
meditate constantly upon divine things ; that the 
world and its poor concerns did no more distract 
my heart from God. But how little I know or 
experience of the power of Christ ! Truly I find 
my proneness to sin, and that generally prevail- 
ing ignorance of my mind by which all motives 
to diligence and love are made to disappear, to 
be my misery. Now, therefore, I desire to be- 
come a fool, that I may be wise : ' the meek will 
he guide in judgment.' 

" I felt humbled at the remembrance of mis- 
pent hours, and while this frame of mind continu- 
ed, all the powers of my soul were perceptibly 
refreshed. 

" Yet O how free is his love to the chief of sin- 
ners ! How many of my days are lost, if their 
worth is to be measured by the standard of pre- 
vailing heavenly mindedness ! I want, above all 
things, a willingness to be despised. What but 
the humbling influence of the spirit, showing me 
my vileness and desperate wickedness, can ever 
produce such an habitual temper ? 

"Mr. Simeon's sermon this evening, on 2 Chron. 
xxxii. 31, discovered to me my corruption and 
vileness more than any sermon I ever had heard, 
1 



240 HENRY MARTYN. 

O that I had a more piercing sense of the divine 
presence ! How much sin in the purest services ! 
If I were sitting in heavenly places with Christ, 
or rather with my thoughts habitually there, how 
would every duty, but especially this of social 
prayer, become easy. 

" It is hurtful to my conscience to let slight 
excuses for an omission of duty to prevail. O 
what cause for shame and self-abhorrence arises 
from the review of every day ! In morning prayer, 
as usual of late, my soul longed to leave its cor- 
ruptions to think of Christ and live by him. I 
laboured to represent to myself powerful consid- 
erations to stir up my slothful heart to activity, 
particularly that which respects giving instruc- 
tion to, and praying with people. I set before 
myself the infinite mercy of being out of hell — 
of being permitted to do the will of God — of the 
love of Christ, which was so disinterested — how 
he passed his life in going about doing good — how 
those men who are truly great, the blessed apos- 
tles, did the same — how the holy angels would 
delight to be employed on errands of mercy. A 
ray of light seems to break upon my mind for a 
moment, and discovers the folly and ignorance of 
this sinful heart, but it quickly returns to its for- 
mer hardness. My will is to sit in all day read- 
ing, not making any effort to think, but letting 
the book fill the mind with a succession of no- 
tions : when the time comes for reading the scrip- 



DECEITFULNESS OF THE HEART. 241 

ture and prayer, then it recoils. When an op- 
portunity offers of speaking for the good of others, 
or assisting a poor person, then it makes a thou- 
sand foolish excuses. It would rather go on 
wrapt in self, and leave the world to perish. Ah ! 
what a heart is mine ! The indistinctness of my 
view of its desperate wickedness is terrible to me, 
that is, when I am capable of feeling any terror. 
But now, my soul, rise from earth and hell — shall 
Satan lead me captive at his will, when Christ 
ever liveth to make intercession for the vilest 
worm? O thou, whose I am by creation, pre- 
servation, redemption, no longer my own, but 
his who lived, and died, and rose again, once 
more would I resign this body and soul, mean 
and worthless as they are, to the blessed disposal 
of thy holy will ! — May I have a heart to love 
God and his people, the flesh being crucified !" 



HIS FIRST SERMON. 

" On Thursday, November 10, he preached for 
the first time at Trinity Church to a numerous 
and earnestly attentive congregation, upon part 
of that address of Jesus to the woman of Sama- 
ria :- — { If thou knewest the gift of God, and who 
it is that saith unto thee, give me to drink, thou 
wouldest have asked of him, and he would have 
given thee living water,' John iv. 10; when it was 

R 



242 HENRY MARTYN. 

his fervent desire and prayer to enter fully into 
the solemn spirit of those well-known lines, 

' I'd preach as though I ne'er should preach again : 
I'd preach as dying unto dying men.' 

Nor could words characterize more justly the 
usual strain of his preaching: for whether the 
congregation he addressed were great or small, 
learned and refined, or poor and ignorant, he 
spake as one who had a message to them from 
God, and who was impressed with the considera- 
tion, that both he and they must shortly stand 
before the Judge of quick and dead. 

" The burthens and difficulties of his sacred 
employments lay heavily at first on Mr. Martyn's 
mind, and considerably depressed his spirits : but 
he endeavoured, he writes in a letter to his ear- 
liest friend, to keep in view ' the unreasonableness 
of his discontent, (who was a brand plucked out 
of the fire,) and the glorious blessedness of the 
ministerial work/ At times, he confesses, he was 
tried with a < sinful dislike of his parochial duty ;' 
and seemed frequently 6 as a stone speaking to 
stones ;' and he laments that i want of private de- 
votional reading and shortness of prayer through 
incessant sermon-making, had produced much 
strangeness between God and his soul.' < Every 
time/ he remarked, ' that I open the scriptures, 
my thoughts are about a sermon or exposition, 
so that even in private I seem to be reading in 



HIS SPIRITUALITY OF MIND. 24S 

public' Young ministers, those especially who 
are placed in extensive spheres of action, are not 
ignorant of the temptations of which Mr. Martyn 
here complains, and to them it must be a conso- 
lation to be assured, that the same afflictions were 
accomplished in one of the most devoted and most 
faithful of their brethren." 



HIS SPIRITUALITY OF MIND. 

66 'Whenever I can say 'thy will be done/ teach 
me to do thy will, O God, for thou art my God ; 
it is like throwing ballast out of an air-balloon, 
my soul ascends immediately, and light and hap- 
piness shine around me.' Such was his thirst 
after this Christian temper ! Such his enjoyment 
of its blessedness ! 

" At the beginning of the present year, Mr. 
Martyn was apprehensive, we have seen, of hav- 
ing bestowed too much time on public duties — 
too little on those which are private and personal. 
He was fully persuaded that in order to take heed 
effectually to his ministry, he must, in obedience 
to the apostolical injunction, take heed primarily 
to ' himself;' and this in fact was his settled course 
and practice. He would sometimes set apart sea- 
sons for humiliation and prayer, and would fre- 
quently spend whole evenings in devotion. Of 
the Bible he could ever affirm, < thy word is very 



24* HENRY MARTYN. 

pure, therefore, thy servant loveth it.' < The 
word of Christ dwelt richly in him in all wisdom.' 
Large portions of it did he commit to memory, 
repeating them during his solitary walks, at those 
times when he was not expressly meditating on 
some scriptural subject, which was his general cus- 
tom ; and so deep was his veneration for the word 
of God, that when a suspicion arose in his mind, 
that any other book he might be studying was 
about to gain an undue influence over his affec- 
tions, he instantly laid it aside, nor would he re- 
sume it till he had felt and realized the paramount 
excellence of the divine oracles : he could not rest 
satisfied, till all those lesser lights which were be- 
ginning to dazzle him, had disappeared before the 
effulgence of the scriptures. 

" How much he loved secret prayer, and how 
vigilantly he engaged in the exercise of it, may 
be seen in the subjoined remarks of his on that 
subject : — ( I felt the need of setting apart a day 
for the restoration of my soul by solemn prayer : 
my views of eternity are become dim and transi- 
ent. I could live for ever in prayer if I could 
always speak to God. I sought to pause and 
consider what I wanted, and to look up with fear 
and faith, and I found the benefit, for my soul 
was soon composed to that devout sobriety, which 
I knew by its sweetness to be its proper frame. 
I was engaged in prayer in the manner I like, 
deep seriousness : at the end of it, I felt great fear 



VIEW OF THE MINISTRY. 245 

of forgetting the presence of God, and of leaving 
him as soon as I should leave the posture of de- 
votion. Twas led through the mists of unbelief, 
and spake to God as one that was true, and re- 
joiced exceedingly that he was holy and faithful ; 
I endeavoured to consider myself as being alone 
on the earth with him, and that greatly promoted 
my approach to his presence. My prayer for a 
meek and holy sobriety was granted : O how 
sweet the dawn of heaven.' " 



HIS VIEW CfF THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY. 

" The happiness Mr. Martyn enjoyed in pro- 
secuting his ministerial vocation, received at 
this time (referring to his return to Cambridge) 
a wonderful increase : whilst suffering the will 
of God with the meek resignation of faith, he 
was enabled to do it with all the delightful fer- 
vency of love. < Blessed be God,' he found rea- 
son to say, with exceeding joy and gratitude, ' / 
feel myself to be his minister. This thought, which 
I can hardly describe came in the morning after 
reading Brainerd. I wish for no service but the 
service of God, in labouring for souls on earth, 
and to do his will in heaven.' As far as the ex- 
ternal duties of his office were concerned, only 
this variation occurred, he became extremely di- 
ligent in the humble but most important work of 
catechizing children; giving sometimes a great 



246 HENRY MARTYN. 

part of his evenings to the task, and leaving the 
society he most valued for the sake of it. He 
determined likewise upon preaching more fre- 
quently extempore — (for he had already at times 
adopted the practice,) partly from thinking it up- 
on the whole more profitable to himself, as well 
as to the congregation — and partly from the de- 
sire of devoting the time spent in writing sermons 
to other purposes. He by no means, however, 
renounced these compositions. On the contrary, 
he enjoined it upon himself as a rule, never to 
pass a week without writing a sermon. 

Ci In visiting his flock, and thus preaching from 
house to house, Mr. Martyn's perseverance kept 
pace with the heightened pleasure and satisfaction 
he experienced in his divine calling." 



HIS MANNER OF SPENDING THE SABBATH. 

" 6 Hasten, O hasten the day when I shall leave 
the world and come to thee ; when I shall no 
more be vexed, and astonished, and pained at the 
universal wickedness of this lost earth. But here 
would I abide thy time, and spend and be spent 
for the salvation of any poor soul, and lie down 
at the feet of sinners, and beseech them not to 
plunge into- an eternity of torment.' 

" How honourable, and what a delight the sab- 
bath was to Mr. Martyn we have already seen ; 
it might be called with him 6 a kind of transfigu- 



SPENDING THE SABBATH. 24? 

ration day, when his garments shone with pecu- 
liar lustre.' Can it be deemed irrelevant then to 
advert again to the state of his mind, as delineat- 
ed by himself during some of those sacred sea- 
sons at this time ? 

" Sept. 30. — 4 My mind, this morning, easily 
ascended to God in peaceful solemnity. I suc- 
ceeded in finding access to God and being alone 
with him. Could I but enjoy this life of faith 
more steadily, how much should I < grow in 
grace,' and be renewed in the spirit of my mind. 
At such seasons of fellowship with the Father and 
his Son Jesus Christ, when the world, and self, 
and eternity, are nearly in their right places, not 
only are my views of duty clear and comprehen- 
sive, but the proper motives have a more con- 
straining influence.' 

" Oct. 28. — c This has been in general a happy 
day. In the morning, through grace, I was 
enabled by prayer to maintain a calm recollec- 
tion of myself — and what was better, the presence 
of my dear Redeemer. From church I walked 
to our garden, where I was above an hour I 
trust with Christ, speaking to him chiefly of my 
future life in his service. I determined on entire 
devotedness, though 4 with trembling ;' for the 
flesh dreads crucifixion. But should I fear pain, 
when Christ was so agonized for me ? No — come 
what will, I am determined through God, to be 
a fellow-worker with Christ. I recollected, with 



248 HENRY MARTYN. 

comfort, that I was speaking to the great Creator, 
who can make such a poor weak worm as myself 
more than conqueror. At church I found, by 
the attention of the people, that the fervour of my 
spirit yesterday had been conveyed into my ser- 
mon. I came to my rooms, rejoicing to be alone 
again, and to hold communion with God,' 

" The last day of the year found him 6 rejoic- 
ing at the lapse of time, but sorrowing at his un- 
profitableness.' 6 So closes,' he remarks, < the 
easy part of my life ; encircled by every earthly 
comfort, and caressed by friends, I may scarcely 
be said to have experienced trouble ; but now 
farewell ease, if I might presume to conjecture. 
G Lord, into thy hands I commit my spirit ! 
Thou hast redeemed me, thou God of truth : 
may I be saved by thy grace, and be sanctified to 
do thy will now, and to all eternity, through Je- 
sus Christ.' " 



The following remarks occur in his Journal 
during the interval between his quitting Cam- 
bridge and his leaving England. 

" April 10. — Walked out to buy books, and 
strove to be diligent in thinking of my subject.* 
When I got into the spirit of it, Christ appeared 
at times inexpressibly precious to me. 

* Referring to a subject which he chose daily for meditation. 



SUPERIORITY TO OPINION. 249 

" April 14. Sunday. — I felt very unconcerned 
about men's opinions before and after my sermon. 
Before it, I could solemnly appeal to God, and 
found comfort and pleasure in doing so, that I 
desired his glory alone — that I detested the 
thought of seeking my own praise, or taking plea- 
sure in hearing it. The rest of the evening I 
continued in a very ardent frame ; but in private 
I was taught, by former experience, to labour 
after a calm and sober devotedness to God, and 
that my fervour might show itself in a steady 
course of action. My soul felt growing in holi- 
ness nigh unto the blessed God, with my under- 
standing, will, and affections turned towards him. 
Surely many of the children of God have been 
praying for me to-day. May the Lord return 
their prayers tenfold into their own bosom. 

" April 15. — O may God confirm my feeble 
resolutions ! O what have I to do but labour, 
and pray, and fast, and watch for the salvation of 
my soul, and those of the heathen world. Ten 
thousand times more than ever do I feel devoted 
to that precious work. O gladly shall this base 
blood be shed, every drop of it, if India can be 
benefited in one of her children — if but one of 
these creatures of God Almighty might be brought 
home to his duty. 

" April 16. — How careful should I and all be 
in our ministry, not to break the bruised reed ! 
Alas, do I think that a schoolboy, a raw acade- 



250 HENRY MARTYN. 

mic, should be likely to lead the hearts of men ? 
What a knowledge of man, and acquaintance with 
the scriptures — what communion with God, and 
study of my own heart, ought to prepare me for 
the awful work of a messenger from God on the 
business of the soul. 

" April 22. — I do not wish for any heaven upon 
earth besides that of preaching the precious gos- 
pel of Jesus Christ to immortal souls. May these 
weak desires increase and strengthen with every 
difficulty. 

" April 27. — My constant unprofitableness 
seemed to bar my approach to God. But I con- 
sidered for all that was past the blood of Christ 
would atone ; and that, for the future, God would 
that moment give me grace to perform my 
duty. 

" May 9. — O my soul, when wilt thou live 
consistently? When shall I walk steadily with 
God? When shall I hold heaven constantly in 
view ? How time glides away — how is death ap- 
proaching — how soon must I give up my account 
— how are souls perishing — how does their blood 
call out to us to labour, and watch, and pray for 
them that remain." 

Mr. Martyn thus expresses himself during his 
voyage to India: 

" Sept. 14. — Found great pleasure and profit 
in Milner's Church History. I love to converse 
as it were with those holy bishops and martyrs, 



VOYAGE TO INDIA. 251 

with whom I hope, through grace, to spend a 
happy eternity. 

" Sept. 15. Sunday. — He that testifleth these 
things saith, c Behold, I come quickly, Amen, 
even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus !' Happy 
John ! though shut out from society and the or- 
dinances of grace : happy wast thou in thy soli- 
tude, when by it thou wast induced thus gladly 
to welcome the Lord's words, and repeat them 
with a prayer. Read and preached on Acts xiii. 
38, 39. In the latter part, where I was led to 
speak, without preparation, on the all-sufficiency 
of Christ to save sinners, who came to him with 
all their sins without delay, I was carried away 
with a divine aid to speak with freedom and 
energy: my soul was refreshed, and I retired, 
seeing reason to be thankful. The weather was 
fair and calm, inviting the mind to tranquillity and 
praise ; the ship just moved upon the face of the 
untroubled ocean. I went below in hopes of 
reading Baxter's Call to the Unconverted; but 
there was no getting down, as they were taking- 
out water ; so I sat with the seamen on the gun 
deck. As I walked in the evening at sun-set, I 
thought with pleasure, but a few more suns, and 
I shall be where my sun shall no more go down. 
Read Isaiah the rest of the evening — -sometimes 
happy, but at other times tired, and desiring to 
take up some other religious book— but I saw it 
1 



252 HENRY MARTYN. 

an important duty to check this slighting of the word 
of God. 

" Sept. 16. — Two things were much in my 
mind this morning in prayer, the necessity of en- 
tering more deeply into my heart, and labouring 
after humiliation, and, for that reason, setting 
apart times for fasting ; as also to devote times for 
solemn prayer for fitness in the ministry ; espe- 
cially love for souls, and for the effusion of the 
spirit on heathen lands, according to God's com- 
mand. 

" Sept. 23. — We are just to the south of all 
Europe, and I bid adieu to it for ever, without a 
wish of ever revisiting it, and still less with any 
desire of taking up my rest in the strange land to 
which I am going. Ah ! no, — farewell perishing 
world ! { To me to live* shall be ' Christ.' I 
have nothing to do here but to labour as a stran- 
ger, and by secret prayer and outward exertion, 
do as much as possible for the church of Christ 
and my own soul, till my eyes close in death, and 
my soul wings its way to a brighter world. 
Strengthen me, O God my Saviour, that whether 
living or dying I may be thine. 

" The extreme weakness and languor of my 
body made me fear I should never be used as a 
preacher in India. But what means this anxiety ? 
Is it not of God that I am led into outward diffi- 
culties, that my faith may be tried ? Suppose you 



OPPOSITION ENCOUNTERED. 253 

are obliged to return, or that you never see India, 
but wither and die here, what is that to you ? 
Do the will of God where you are, and leave the 
rest to him. I found great satisfaction in reflect- 
ing that my hourly wisdom was not to repine, and 
to look for a change, but to consider what is my 
duty in existing circumstances, and then to do it, 
in dependance upon grace.' 

" The violent and increasing opposition he ex- 
perienced from many of the more intelligent part 
of the passengers, and the discouraging inatten- 
tion he too often perceived amongst the other 
class of his hearers, caused him to 6 grieve on 
their account, and to humble himself before God/ 
4 I go down,' he says, 4 and stand in the midst of 
a few, without their taking the slightest notice of 
me : Lord, it is for thy sake I suffer such slights 
— let me persevere notwithstanding.' But though 
he mourned on their account, he was ' contented 
to be left without fruit, if such were the will of 
God.' Conscious of having delivered the mes- 
sage faithfully, and trusting that, with respect to 
both descriptions of his auditors, he had com- 
mended himself to their consciences, if he had 
not reached their hearts, his own peace of mind 
was not affected ; and he affirms that he was 4 as 
happy as he could be without more grace ;' re- 
presenting himself as enjoying 'peaceful thoughts 
; — tender recollections — and happy prospects.' 
How could he fail of pleasantness and peace, 



254 HENRY MARTYN. 

when this was the genuine expression of the sen- 
timents of his soul ? ' I am born for God only. 
Christ is nearer to me than father, or mother, or 
sister — a nearer relation — a more affectionate 
friend; and I rejoice to follow him and to love 
him. Blessed Jesus ! thou art all I want — a fore- 
runner to me in all I ever shall go through, as a 
Christian, minister, or missionary.' 

" Whilst the breezes wafted Mr. Martyn to- 
wards the destined scene of his labours, many a 
sigh did he continue to breathe under a sense of 
his own sinfulness and weakness ; and many a pe- 
tition did he pour forth for the nation to whom 
he was sent. He felt it ' good and suitable to 
walk through this world overwhelmed with con- 
trition and love — receiving with grateful content- 
ment every painful dispensation, because not 
worthy to enjoy the light of this world,' — praying 
that s God would glorify himself with the gifts 
and graces of all his creatures, and make him 
take his place at the bottom of them unnoticed, 
unknown, and forgotten.' c O when the spirit is 
pleased,' said he, c to show his creature but a few 
scattered specimens of his ungodly days, yea, of his 
godly ones — how universally and desperately wick- 
ed doth he appear. O that I knew how to be duly 
abased. What shall I think of myself in compari- 
son of others ? How ought I to kiss the very dust 
beneath their feet, from a consciousness of my in- 
feriority ; and in my thoughts of God, and his 



HIS FERVENCY IN PRAYER. 25.5 

dealings with me, how ought I to be wrapped up 
in constant astonishment.' Then, after setting 
apart a day for fasting and humiliation, he began 
to pray for the setting up of God's kingdom in 
the world, especially in India, and had such 
energy and delight in prayer as he never had be- 
fore experienced. ' My whole soul,' he said, 
6 wrestled with God. I knew not how to leave 
off crying to him to fulfil his promises, chiefly 
pleading his own glorious power. I do not know 
that any thing would be a heaven to me but the 
service of Christ, and the enjoyment of his pre- 
sence. O how sweet is life when spent in his ser- 
vice ! I am going upon a work immediately ac- 
cording to the mind of Christ, and my glorious 
Lord, whose power is uncontrollable, can easily 
open a way for his feeble follower through the 
thickest of the ranks of his enemies. And now, 
on let me go, smiling at my foes — how small are 
human obstacles before this mighty Lord ! How 
easy is it for God to effect his purposes in a mo- 
ment. What are inveterate prejudices when once 
the Lord shall set to his hand ! In prayer, I had 
a most precious view of Christ, as a friend that 
sticketh closer than a brother. O how sweet was 
it to pray to him. I hardly knew how to con- 
template with praise enough his adorable excel- 
lencies. Who can show forth his praise ? I can 
conceive it to be a theme long enough for eterni- 



256 HENRY MAHTYN. 

ty. I want no other happiness — no other sort of 
heaven.' " 



While in India, he heard with the sincerest 
grief, during his abode at Aldeen, of an order is- 
sued by government, (though it proved afterwards 
that he was misinformed,) to prevent the Baptists 
preaching and distributing tracts. On this his 
biographer observes : — 

" So perplexed and excited was he by the in- 
telligence, that it even deprived him of sleep ; and 
he spoke afterwards with so much vehemence 
against the measures of government, as, upon re- 
flection, to afford him matter for self-condemna- 
tion. i I know r not,' he said, 6 what manner of 
spirit I am of; I fancy it is all zeal for God; but 
what a falsehood is this ? I am severe against a 
governor, not making allowances for what he 
knows. O does it become me to be judging 
others ? Did Jesus canvass the proceeding of 
government with the spirit of one of this world ? 
I pray to be preserved from ever falling into this 
snare again. May I, with poverty of spirit, go 
on my way ; and never again trouble myself with 
what does not belong to me ! I trust I shall be 
able to distinguish between zeal and self-will. Let 
me never fancy I have zeal till my heart overflows 
with love to every man living. 



DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY. 257 

" A Brahmin, of my own age, was performing 
his devotions to Gunga early this morning, when 
I was going to prayer. My soul was struck with 
the sovereignty of God, who, out of pure grace, 
had made such a difference in all the external 
circumstances of our lives. O let not that man's 
earnestness rise up against me at the last day. 
Yet I felt no tenderness of grief ; nor in the morn- 
ing did I feel any thing like due thankfulness to 
God's electing mercy, in making me thus to differ 
from the Brahmins. I have daily and hourly 
proofs of my corruption ; for when does my heart 
come up to what my half-enlightened understand- 
ing approves ? Yet I intend, through grace, to 
continue praying to the end for their poor pre- 
cious souls, that the kingdom of God may be set 
up here," 



The following extract shows both his zeal to 
be useful and the severity with which he condemn- 
ed himself, for the mere omission of an opportu- 
nity to do good. 

" October 28. — Rose very early, and was at 
the hospital at daylight. Waited there a long 
time, wandering up and down the wards, in hopes 
of inducing the men to get up and assemble : but 
it was in vain. I left three books with them, and 
went away, amidst the sneers and titters of the 
common soldiers. Certainly it is one of the 
s 



258 HENRY MARTYN. 

greatest crosses I am called to bear, to take pains 
to make people hear me. It is such a struggle 
between a sense of propriety and modesty on the 
one hand, and a sense of duty on the other, that 
I find nothing equal to it. I could force my way 
any where, in order to introduce a brother minis- 
ter ; but for myself I act with hesitation and pain. 
At night, from mere thoughtlessness, went on 
shore without tracts, and lost a better opportuni- 
ty than I have yet had of distributing them among 
the people. My soul was dreadfully wounded at 
the recollection of it ; and O may the conviction 
of my wickedness rest upon my soul all my days ! 
How many souls will rise up in judgment against 
me at the last day, God only knows. The Lord 
forgive my guilty soul; deliver me from blood 
guiltiness ; and make me to remember for what 
purpose 1 came hither. 

" Distressed at times ; I fear that I am not act- 
ing faithfully in warning those around me. But 
the shortest way to peace is to pray for a broken 
heart and submissive spirit: by this means my 
mind brightened up." 



REFLECTIONS ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE YEAR 
1807. 

" Seven years have passed away since I was 
first called of God. Before the conclusion of 



NEW YEAR'S DAY. 259 

another seven years, how probable that these 
hands will have mouldered into dust ! But be it 
so : my soul through grace hath received the as- 
surance of eternal life, and I see the days of my 
pilgrimage shortening without a wish to add to 
their number. But O may I be stirred up to a 
farther discharge of my high and awful work, and 
laying aside, as much as may be, all carnal cares 
and studies, may I give myself to this f. one thing.' 
The last has been a year to be remembered by 
me, because the Lord has brought me safely to 
India, and permitted me to begin, in one sense, 
my missionary work. My trials in it have been 
very few ; every thing has turned out better than 
I expected ; loving kindnesses and tender mercies 
have attended me every step : therefore, here will 
I sing his praise. I have been an unprofitable 
servant, but the Lord hath not cut me off; I have 
been wayward and perverse, yet he hath brought 
me further on the way to Zion : here then, with 
sevenfold gratitude and affection, would I stop 
and devote myself to the blissful service of my 
adorable Lord. May he continue his patience, 
his grace, his directions, his spiritual influences, 
and I shall at last surely come off conqueror ! 
May he speedily open my mouth to make known 
the mysteries of the gospel, and in great mercy 
grant that the heathen may receive it in great 
mercy and live !" 



260 HENRY MARTYN. 

Speaking of Mr. Martyn's intercourse with the 
more wealthy Europeans in India, his biographer 
observes : — 

" In vain did he endeavour, amongst the up- 
per ranks, to introduce religious topics into con- 
versation. ' I spoke,' said he, after visiting some 
of these, 6 several times about religion to them, 
but the manner in which it was received damped 
all farther attempt. s Who hath believed our re- 
port, and to whom is the arm of the Lord reveal- 
ed ?' How awful does the thought sometimes ap- 
pear to me, that almost the whole world are unit- 
ed against God and his Christ. O thou injured 
Sovereign ! O Lord, how long will it be ere thou 
plead thine own cause, and make bare thine arm 
in the sight of the nations ? Let me in patience 
possess my soul-; and though iniquity abound, 
may I never wax cold, but be brought safely 
through all this darkness and danger to a happier 
world ! To thousands my word will, perhaps, 
prove ' a savour of death unto death.' Let me 
nevertheless go on steadily in the path which the 
Lord has marked out : perhaps some poor soul 
may be converted by what he shall hear from me ; 
or if not, I shall have done my work.' " 



The following extracts contain various highly 
valuable hints. 

" The conversation with the Pundit more seri- 
ous than it has yet been ; and I find that serious- 



IMPORTANCE OF SERIOUSNESS. 261 

ness in the declaration of the truths of the gospel^ is 
likely to have more power than the clearest argu- 
ments conveyed in a trifling spirit. I told him, 
that now he had heard the word of Christ, he 
would not be tried at the last day by the same 
law as the other Brahmins and Hindoos who had 
never heard it, but in the same manner as myself 
and other Christians, and that I feared, therefore, 
he was in great danger. He said, as usual, that 
there were many ways to God, but I replied, there 
was no other Saviour but Christ, because no other 
Lord bought men with his blood and suffered 
their punishment for them. This effectually si- 
lenced him on that head : he then said, ' he had 
a house and children, and that to preserve them 
he must retain the favour of the world ; that he 
and his friends despised idol worship, but that 
the world would call him wicked if he forsook the 
service of the gods, 

" I left Dinapore to go to Monghir ; spent the 
evening at Patna with Mr. , talking on lite- 
rary subjects ; but my soul was overwhelmed with 
a sense of guilt in not striving to lead the con- 
versation to something that might be for his spi- 
ritual good. My general backwardness to speak 
on spiritual subjects before the unconverted, made 
me groan in spirit at such unfeelingness and un- 
belief. May the remembrance of what I am made 
to suffer for these neglects be one reason for 
greater zeal and love in the time to come ! 



262 HENRY MARTYN. 

" April 19. — A melancholy Lord's day ! In 
the morning, at the appointed hour, I found some 
solemnity and tenderness : the whole desire of my 
soul seemed to be, that all the ministers in India 
might be eminently holy, and that there might be 
no remains of that levity or indolence in any of 
us which I found in myself. 

" April 23. — After baptizing a child of , 

I left Monghir, and got on twenty-three miles to 
Dinapore, very sorrowful in mind, both from the 
recollection of having done nothing for the pe- 
rishing souls I had been amongst, and from find- 
ing myself so unqualified to write on a spiritual 
subject which I had undertaken. Alas ! the ig- 
norance and carnality of my miserable soul ! How 
contemptible must it be in the sight of God ! 

" April 24. — Still cast down at my utter ina- 
bility to write any thing profitable on this subject, 
and at my execrable pride and ease of heart. O 
that I could weep with shame and sorrow in the 
dust for my wickedness and folly ! Yet thanks 
are due to the Lord for showing me in this way, 
how much my heart has been neglected of late. 
I see by this how great are the temptations of a 
missionary to neglect his own soul. Apparently 
outwardly employed for God, my heart has been 
growing more hard and proud. Let me be 
taught that the first great business on earth is the 
sanctification of my own soul ; so shall I be ren- 
dered more capable also of performing the duties 



WATCHFULNESS AGAINST LEVITY. 263 

of the ministry, whether amongst the Europeans 
or Heathen, in a holy and solemn manner. O 
how I detest that levity to which I am so subject ! 
How cruel and unfeeling it is ! God is witness, 
that I would rather, from this day forward, weep 
day and night for the danger of immortal souls. 
But my wickedness seems to take such hold of 
me, that I cannot escape, and my only refuge is 
to commit my soul, with all its corruption, into 
the hands of Christ, to be sanctified and saved by 
the almighty power of grace. For what can I do 
with myself? My heart is so thoroughly cor- 
rupt that I cannot keep myself one moment from 
sin. 

" April 29. — In prayer at the appointed hour ; 
I felt solemnity of mind, and an earnest desire 
that the Lord would pour out a double portion 
of his spirit upon us his ministers in India ; that 
every one of us may be eminent in holiness and 
ministerial gifts. If I were to judge from my- 
self, I should fear God had forsaken his church ; 
for I am most awfully deficient in the knowledge 
and experience requisite for a minister ; but my 
dear brother Corrie, blessed be God, is a man of 
a better spirit. May he grow more and more in 
grace, and continue to be an example to us ! 
Passed the day in reading and prayer, such as 
my prayers are. My soul struggled with cor- 
ruption, yet I found the merit and grace of Jesus 
all sufficient and all supporting. Though my 



*64 HENRY MARTYN. 

guilt seemed like mountains, I considered it as 
no reason for departing from Christ, but rather 
of clinging to him more closely. Thus I got 
through the day, cast down, but not destroyed. 

" May my soul in prayer never rest satisfied 
without the enjoyment of God ! May all my 
thoughts be fixed on him ! May I sit so loose 
to every employment here, that I may be able at 
a moment's warning to take my departure for 
another world ! May I be taught to remember, 
that all other studies are merely subservient to 
the great work of ministering holy things to im- 
mortal souls ! May the most holy works of the 
ministry, and those which require most devoted- 
ness of soul, be the most dear to my heart ! 

" What a source of perpetual delight have I 
in the precious book of God ! O that my heart 
were more spiritual, to keep pace with my under- 
standing, and that I could feel as I know ! May 
my root and foundation be deep in love, and may 
I be able to comprehend, with all saints, what is 
the breadth, length, and depth, and height, and 
to know the love of Christ which passeth know- 
ledge, and may I be filled with all the fulness of 
God !" adding in his accustomed spirit of inces- 
sant watchfulness, "May the Lord, in mercy to 
my soul, save me from setting up an idol of any 
sort in his place, as I do by preferring even a 
work, professedly for him, to a communion with 
him. How obstinate the reluctance of the natu- 



HIS TENDER AFFECTION. 265 

ral heart to love God ! But, O my soul, be not 
deceived, thy chief work upon earth is to obtain 
sanctification, and to walk with God. 6 To obey 
is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the 
fat of rams.' Let me learn from this, that to fol- 
low the direct injunctions of God about my own 
soul, is more my duty than to be engaged in other 
works under pretence of doing him service." 



Mr. Martyn's tender affection to his relatives 
is strikingly expressed in the following observa- 
tions on his receiving the painful intelligence of 
his eldest sister's death. 

" A period of torturing suspense terminated in 
one of inexpressible sorrow. \ But blessed is the 
man whom thou chastenest, O Lord.' Gleams 
of this blessedness shone forth from the clouds of 
that dark dispensation with which Mr. Martyn 
was now visited. ' O my heart, my heart,' he ex- 
claimed, ' is it, can it be true, that she has been 
lying so many months in the cold grave ! Would 
that I could always remember it, or always for- 
get it, — but to think for a moment of other things, 
and then to feel the remembrance of it come, as 
if for the first time, rends my heart asunder. 
When I look round upon the creation, and think 
that her eyes see it not, but have closed upon it 
for ever, — that I lie down in my bed, but that she 
has lain down in her grave — O ! is it possible ! I 



266 HENRY MARTYN. 

wonder to find myself still in life — that the same 
tie that united us in life, had not brought death 
at the same moment to both. O great and gra- 
cious God ! what should I do without thee ! But 
now thou art manifesting thyself as the God of 
all consolation to my soul; never was I so near 
thee : I stand on the brink, and I long to take my 
flight. There is not a thing in the world for 
which I could wish to live, except because it may 
please God to appoint me some work. And how 
shall my soul be ever thankful enough to thee, O 
thou most incomprehensibly glorious Saviour Je- 
sus ! O what hast thou done to alleviate the sor- 
rows of life ! And how great has been the mercy 
of God towards my family, in saving us all ! 
How dreadful would be the separation of rela- 
tions in death, were it not for Jesus.' 

" Acutely as Mr. Martyn suffered, such im- 
portance did he attach to those studies, which 
had in view the manifestation of the gospel to re- 
gions 6 sitting in darkness and the shadow of 
death,' that he omitted the prosecution of them, 
at this period, only for a single day. It was a 
duty, he thought, incumbent on him to return to 
his work as soon as possible, however heavily his 
mind might be burthened, for his expressions 
many days afterward declare into what depths 
of grief he was sunk. * My heart,' said he, * is 
still oppressed, but it is not a * sorrow that work- 
eth death.' Though nature weeps at being de- 



HAPPINESS IN HIS WORK. 267 

prived of all hopes of ever seeing this dear com- 
panion on earth, faith is hereby brought more in- 
to exercise. How sweet to feel dead to all be- 
low ; to live only for eternity ; to forget the short 
interval that lies between us and the spiritual 
world ; and to live always seriously. The serious- 
ness which this sorrow produces is indescribably 
precious. O that I could always retain it, when 
these impressions shall be worn away !' 

" 6 1 am happier here in this remote land,' he 
wrote in his Journal, ' where I hear so seldom of 
what happens in the world, than in England, 
where there are so many calls to look at the things 
that are seen. How sweet the retirement in which 
I live here. The precious word now my only 
study by means of translations. Though in a 
manner buried from the world, neither seeing nor 
seen by Europeans, here the time flows on with 
great rapidity : it seems as if life would be gone 
before any thing is done, or even before any thing 
is begun. I sometimes rejoice that I am not 
twenty-seven years of age, and that, unless God 
should order it otherwise, I may double the num- 
ber in constant and successful labour. If not, 
God has many, many more instruments at com- 
mand, and I shall not cease from my happiness, 
and scarcely from my work, by departing into 
another world. O what shall separate us from 
the love of Christ ! Neither death nor life I am 
persuaded. O let me feel my security, that I 



268 HENRY MARTYN. 

may be, as it were, already in heaven, that I may 
do all my work, as the angels do theirs ; and O 
let me be ready for every work ! be ready to 
leave this delightful solitude, or remain in it — to 
go out, or go in — to stay or depart, just as the 
Lord shall appoint. Lord, let me have no will 
of my own ; or consider my true happiness as de- 
pending, in the smallest degree, on any thing that 
can befal the outward man, but as consisting al- 
together in conformity to God's will. May I have 
Christ here with me in this world, not substitut- 
ing imagination in the place of faith ; but seeing 
outward things as they really are, and thus ob- 
taining a radical conviction of their vanity.' " 



While in India, an overture of marriage was 
made to a lady in Britain, to whom he had been 
long attached. On this his biographer observes : 

" This, for reasons which afterwards com- 
mended themselves to Mr. Martyn's own judg- 
ment, was now declined; on which occasion, suf- 
fering sharply as a man, but most meekly as a 
Christian, he said, 6 the Lord sanctify this ; and 
since this last desire of my heart is also withheld, 
may I turn away for ever from the world, and 
henceforth live forgetful of all but God. With 
thee, O my God, is no disappointment. I shall 
never have to regret that I have loved thee too 
well. Thou hast said, ' delight thyself in the 



SEVERE DISAPPOINTMENT. 269 

Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thy 
heart/ 

" 6 At first I was more grieved,' he wrote some- 
time afterwards, i at the loss of my gourd, than 
of the perishing Ninevehs all around me : but 
now my earthly woes and earthly attachments 
seem to be absorbing in the vast concern of com- 
municating the gospel to these nations. After 
this last lesson from God, on the vanity of the 
creature, I feel desirous to be nothing — to have 
nothing — to ask for nothing but what he gives.' 

" He enjoyed a large measure of ' that perfect 
peace' in which those are kept whose minds are 
stayed on God. He was continually ' rejoicing 
in the solid ground of Jesus' imputed righteous- 
ness;' the greatness, the magnificence, the wis- 
dom of which filled his mind ; and he was conti- 
nually thinking s O how is every hour lost that is 
not spent in the love and contemplation of God, 
my God. O send out thy light and thy truth, 
that I may live always sincerely, always affection- 
ately, towards God ! To live without sin I can- 
not expect in this world, but to desire to live 
without it may be the experience of every mo- 
ment;' and he closed the year like him who, at 
the end of a psalm of holy and joyful aspirations, 
exclaims, ' I have gone astray like a lost sheep,' 
in the following strain of brokenness of spirit and 
abasement of soul: 6 I seem to myself permitted 
to exist only through the inconceivable compas- 



270 HENRY MARTYN. 

sion of God. When I think of my shameful in- 
capacity for the ministry, arising from my neglect, 
I see reason to tremble, though I cannot weep. 
I feel willing to be a neglected outcast, unfit to 
be made useful to others, provided my dear 
brethren are prosperous in their ministry/ " 



Mr. Martyn's zeal for promoting the good of 
souls is strikingly represented in the following 
passages : — 

" In consequence of the state of the weather at 
this season of the year, the public celebration of 
divine service on the sabbath was suspended for 
a considerable time at Dinapore ; a circumstance 
as painful to Mr. Martyn as it was pleasing to the 
careless and worldly part of his congregation. 
Upon the serious inconvenience, and yet more se- 
rious detriment to the spiritual interest of his 
flock, in being destitute of a church, he had al- 
ready presented a memorial to the Governor Ge- 
neral, and orders to provide a proper place for 
public worship had been issued ; nothing effectual, 
however, was yet done, and Mr. Martyn's love of 
the souls entrusted to him not allowing him to 
bear the thought of their being scattered for a 
length of time, as sheep without a shepherd, he 
came to the resolution of opening his own house, 
as a place in which the people might assemble in 
this emergency. About the middle of February 



DESIRE TO BE USEFUL. 271 

he writes, * As many of the European regiment 
as were effective were accommodated under my 
roof; and, praise be to God, we had the public 
ordinances once more. My text was from Isaiah 
iv. ' The Lord will create upon every dwelling- 
place of Mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a 
cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a 
flaming fire by night : for upon all the glory shall 
be a defence.' In the afternoon I waited for the 
women, but not one came : perhaps notice had 
not been given them, by some mistake. At the 
hospital, and with the men at night, I was engag- 
ed, as usual, in prayer : my soul panted after the 
living God, but it remained tied and bound with 
corruption. I felt as if I would have given the 
world to be brought to be alone with God, and 
the promise that this is the will of God, even our 
sanctification, was the right hand that upheld me 
while I followed after him. When low in spirits, 
through an unwillingness to take up the cross, I 
found myself more resigned by endeavouring to 
realise the thought that had often composed me 
in my trials on board the ship — that I was born 
to suffer : suffering is my daily appointed portion ; 
let this reconcile me to every thing ! To have a 
will of my own, not agreeable to God's, is a most 
tremendous wickedness. I own it is so for a few 
moments : but, Lord, write it on my heart ! In 
perfect meekness and resignation let me take what 



272 HENRY MARTYN. 

befals me in the path of duty, and never dare to 
think of being dissatisfied.' " 



LETTER TO THE REV. D. CORRIE. 

" January 10, 1809. — Your letter from Buxar 
found me in much the same spiritual state as you 
describe yourself to be in; though your descrip- 
tion, no doubt, belongs more properly to me. I 
no longer hesitate to ascribe my stupor and forma- 
lity to its right cause — unwatchfulness in worldly 
company. I thought that any temptation arising 
from the society of the people of the world, at 
least of such as we have had, not worthy of no- 
tice : but I find myself mistaken. The late fre- 
quent occasions of being among them have prov- 
ed a snare to my corrupt heart. Instead of re- 
turning with a more elastic spring to severe du- 
ties, as I expected, my heart wants more idleness, 
more dissipation. David Brainerd in the wilder- 
ness — what a contrast to Henry Martyn ! But 
God be thanked that a start now and then inter- 
rupts the slumber. I hope to be up and about 
my master's business ; to cast off the works of 
darkness, and to be spiritually minded, which 
alone is life and peace. But what a dangerous 
country it is we are in ; hot weather or cold, all 
is softness and luxury ; all a conspiracy to lull us 



LETTER TO THE REV. D. CORRIE. 273 

asleep in the lap of pleasure. While we pass 
over this enchanted ground, call, brother, ever 
and anon, and ask, 4 is all well ?' We are shep- 
herds keeping watch over our flocks by night : if 
we fall asleep, what is to become of them !" — 

" The account of your complaint, as you may 
suppose, grieves me exceedingly ; not because I 
think 1 shall outlive you, but because your useful 
labours must be reduced to one quarter, and that 
you may be obliged perhaps to take a voyage to 
Europe, which is loss of time and money. But, 

brother beloved, what is life or death ? No- 
thing to the believer in Jesus. 6 He that believ- 
eth, though he were dead, yet shall he live ; and 
he that liveth, and believeth in me, shall never 
die.' The first and natural effect of sickness, as 

1 have often found, is to cloud and terrify the 
mind. The attention of the soul is arrested by 
the idea of soon appearing in a new world ; and a 
sense of guilt is felt before faith is exercised in a 
Redeemer ; and for a time it will predominate ; 
for the same faith that would overcome fear in 
health, must be considerably strengthened to have 
the same effect in sickness. I trust you will long- 
live to do the work of your Lord Jesus." 



Mr. Martyn having consulted his friends, the 
Rev. Mr. Corrie and the Rev. Mr. Brown of 
Calcutta, about the propriety of his going to Ara- 



274 HENRY MARTYN. 

bia and Persia to complete the Arabic and Per- 
sian versions of the New Testament, Mr. Brown's 
answer is as follows : — 

" But can I then (said he) bring myself to cut 
the string and let you go ? I confess I could not, 
if your bodily frame was strong, and promised to 
last for half a century. But as you burn with the 
intenseness and rapid blaze of heated phosphorus, 
why should we not make the most of you ? Your 
flame may last as long, and perhaps longer, in 
Arabia than in India. Where should the phcenix 
build her odoriferous nest but in the land pro- 
phetically called ' the blessed ;' and where shall 
we ever expect, but from that country, the true 
comforter to come to the nations of the east ? I 
contemplate your New Testament springing up, 
as it were, from dust and ashes, but beautiful as 
the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her 
feathers like yellow gold." 



The following sketch of Mr. Martyn's charac- 
ter is contained in a letter to the Rev. Mr. Simeon 
from the Rev. Mr. Thomason of Calcutta : — 

" This bright and lovely jewel first gratified 
our eyes on Saturday last. He is on his way to 
Arabia, where he is going in pursuit of health and 
knowledge. You know his genius, and what gi- 
gantic strides he takes in every thing. He has 
some great plan in his mind, of which I am no 



LETTER OF REV. MR. THOMASON. 275 

competent judge, but as far as I do understand 
it, the object is far too grand for one short life, 
and much beyond his feeble, exhausted frame. 
Feeble it is indeed ! How fallen and changed ! 
His complaint lies in his lungs : and appears to 
be a beginning consumption. But let us hope 
the sea air may revive him, and that change of 
place and pursuit may do him essential service, 
and continue his life many years. In all other 
respects he is exactly the same as he was : he 
shines in all the dignity of love, and seems to 
carry about him such a heavenly majesty as im- 
presses the mind beyond description. But if he 
talks much, though in a low voice, he sinks, and 
you are reminded of his being dust and ashes." 



Mr. Martyn after this proceeded to Shiraz, 
where he accomplished the important and arduous 
work of translating the New Testament into the 
Persian language. In endeavouring to come from 
that city to Constantinople, he was seized with 
fever and ague. While under the pressure of 
disease he was barbarously hurried on by his 
Tartar guide, till he fell a sacrifice to the united 
effects of fever and excessive fatigue. The follow- 
ing short notices are taken from his Journal at 
this time, and I close these extracts with the af- 
fecting account of his early death which it con- 
tains. 



276 HENRY MARTYN. 

" Sept. 30. — Travelled first to Ashgula, where 
we changed horses, and from thence to Purnuga- 
ban, where we halted for the night. I took no- 
thing al] day but tea, and was rather better, but 
headache and loss of appetite depressed my spi- 
rits ; yet my soul rests in him who is an anchor of 
the soul, sure and stedfast, which, though not seen, 
keeps me fast. 

" October 1. — After sitting a little by the fire, 
I was near fainting from sickness. My depres- 
sion of spirits led me to the throne of grace, as a 
sinful abject worm. When I thought of myself 
and my transgressions, I could find no text so 
cheering as * My ways are not as your ways.' By 
the men who accompanied Sir William Ousely to 
Constantinople, I learned that the plague was 
raging at Constantinople, and thousands dying 
every day. One of the Persians had died of it. 
They added, that the inhabitants of Tocat were 
flying from their town from the same cause. 
Thus I am passing inevitably into imminent dan- 
ger. O Lord, thy will be done ! Living or dy- 
ing remember me ! 

" 6th.— No horses being to be had, I had an 
unexpected repose. I sat in the orchard, and 
thought, with sweet comfort and peace, of my 
God ; in solitude, my company, my friend, and 
comforter. O ! when shall time give place to 
eternity ! When shall appear that new heaven 
and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness ! 



MR. MARTYN'S DEATH. 277 

There, there shall in nowise enter in any thing 
that defileth : none of that wickedness that has 
made men worse than wild beasts — none of those 
corruptions that add still more to the miseries of 
mortality, shall be seen or heard of any more." 

" Scarcely had Mr. Martyn breathed these as- 
pirations after that state of blissful purity, for 
which he had attained such a measure of meet- 
ness, when he was called to exchange a condition 
of pain, weakness, and suffering, for that everlast- 
ing ' rest which remaineth for the people of God.' 
At Tocat, on the 16th of October, 1812, either 
falling a sacrifice to the plague, which then raged 
there, or sinking under that disorder which, when 
he penned his last words, ha.d so greatly reduced 
him, he surrendered his soul into the hands of his 
Redeemer." 



REV. DAVID BRAINERD. 



Extracts from the Memoir of Henry Martyn 
seem most naturally accompanied with some no- 
tices from the Life of the Rev. David Brainerd, 
missionary among the North American Indians. 
Not only had Mr. Martyn a high admiration of 
Brainerd' s character, but he seems to have cho- 
sen him as a model; and the perusal of Brainerd's 
Life appears to have had some influence in lead- 
ing him to devote himself to missionary labours. 
" The immediate cause (says his biographer) of 
his determination to undertake the office of a 
Christian missionary, was hearing the Rev. Mr. 
Simeon remark on the benefit which had resulted 
from the services of a missionary (Mr. Corrie) in 
India: his attention was thus arrested, and his 
thoughts occupied with the vast importance of 
the subject. Soon after which, perusing the Life 



280 DAVID BRAINERD. 

of David Brainerd, who preached with apostoli- 
cal zeal and success to the North American Indi- 
ans, and who finished a course of self-denying la- 
bours for his Redeemer with unspeakable joy at 
the early age of thirty-two, his soul was filled with 
a holy emulation of that extraordinary man ; and 
after deep consideration and fervent prayer he at 
length fixed in a resolution to follow his exam- 
ple." Again, in Mr. Martyn's Journal we have 
the following remark : " Read Brainerd. I feel 
my heart knit to this dear man, and really re- 
joice to think of meeting him in heaven." 

This attachment to such a character will not 
be at all a matter of surprise to any one who has 
read the very interesting extracts from Mr. Brai- 
nerd's Diary, published by President Edwards, 
as well as the account written by himself of the 
singular success of his labours among the Indians 
at Crossweeksung. Mr. Martyn was just the 
man to appreciate the character of such a person 
as Mr. Brainerd at its full value. Indeed there 
seems to have been a very striking similarity in 
the spirit and cast of mind of these two eminent 
servants of Christ, as both were distinguished by 
such a constant and at the same time ardent zeal 
in the service of God, and such an elevated and 
habitual tone of devotion, as are very rarely to be 
met with even among those of whose sincerity in 
the service of the gospel we are not permitted to 
entertain a doubt. 



PERSEVERANCE IN PRAYER. 281 

In Mr. Brainerd's Diary there are compara- 
tively few passages that bear directly on the sub- 
ject of the present volume. The slightest notices, 
however, from so eminent a Christian, and one 
who was so much distinguished by success as a 
missionary during the short time he was permit- 
ted to act in this character, ought to be highly priz- 
ed. Respecting this success, Dr. Dwight, in his 
Travels, makes the following remark : " The ex- 
cellent Brainerd in one place converted by his 
preaching, so far as the human eye can judge, 
seventy-five Indians out of one hundred to the 
faith and obedience of the gospel." The following 
extracts are selected as the only passages that oc- 
cur in the publication above mentioned, as hav- 
ing an immediate reference to the preaching of 
the gospel, or to the spirit by which those ought 
to be animated who are engaged in this service. 

PERSEVERANCE IN PRAYER. 

" August 4. — Was enabled to pray much 
through the whole day, and through divine good- 
ness found some intenseness of soul in the duty, 
as I used to do, and some ability to persevere in 
my supplications : had some apprehensions of di- 
vine things that were engaging, and that gave me 
some courage and resolution. It is good, I find, 
to persevere in attempts to pray, if I cannot pray 



282 DAVID BRAINERD. 

with perseverance, i. e. continue long in my ad- 
dresses to the divine Being. I have generally 
found, that the more I do in secret prayer, the 
more I have delighted to do, and have enjoyed 
more of a spirit of prayer ; and frequently have 
found the contrary, when with journeying, or 
otherwise, I have been much deprived of retire- 
ment. A seasonable steady performance of secret 
duties in their proper hours, and a careful im- 
provement of all time, filling up every hour with 
some profitable labour, either of heart, head, or 
hands, are excellent means of spiritual peace and 
boldness before God. < Christ,' indeed, ' is our 
peace, and by him we have boldness of access to 
God ;' but a good conscience, void of offence, is 
an excellent preparation for an approach into the 
divine presence* There is difference between 
self-confidence and a self-righteous pleasing our- 
selves, (with our own duties, attainments, and spi- 
ritual enjoyments,) which godly souls sometimes 
are guilty of, and that holy confidence arising 
from the testimony of a good conscience, which 
good Hezekiah had, when he says, e Remember, 

Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked be- 
fore thee in truth, and with a perfect heart.' 

1 Then,' says the holy psalmist, s shall I not be 
ashamed, when I have respect to all thy com- 
mandments.' Filling up our time with and for 
God is the way to rise up and lie down in peace." 



DESIRE TO BE USEFUL. 283 

MR. BRAINERD'S GREAT DESIRE TO BE USEFUL. 

" December 9. — Preached, both parts of the 
day, at a place called Greenwich, in New Jersey, 
about ten miles from my own house. In the first 
discourse I had scarce any warmth or affectionate 
longing for souls. In the intermission season I 
got alone among the bushes, and cried to God 
for pardon of my deadness ; and was in anguish 
and bitterness that I could not address souls with 
more compassion and tender affection : judged and 
condemned myself for want of this divine temper ; 
though I saw I could not get it as of myself, any 
more than I could make a world. In the latter 
exercise, blessed be the Lord, I had some ferven- 
cy, both in prayer and preaching ; and especially 
in the application of my discourse, was enabled 
to address precious souls with affection, concern, 
tenderness, and importunity. The Spirit of God, 
I think, was there ; as the effects were apparent, 
tears running down many cheeks. 

" Found my interpreter under some concern 
for his soul, which was some comfort to me, and 
yet filled me with new care. I longed greatly for 
his conversion ; lifted up my heart to God for it, 
while I was talking to him ; came home, and pour- 
ed out my soul to God for him ; enjoyed some 
freedom in prayer, and was enabled, I think, to 
leave all with God. 



284 DAVID BRAINERD. 

" April 15. — My soul longed for more spiritu- 
ality ; and it was my burden that I could do no 
more for God. Oh, my barrenness is my daily 
affliction and heavy load ! Oh, how precious is 
time ; and how it pains me to see it slide away, 
while I do so very little to any good purpose ! 
O that God would make me more fruitful and 
spiritual. 

" . April ] 7. — In the evening preached from 
Psal. lxxiii. 28, ' But it is good for me to draw 
near to God.' God helped me to feel the truth 
of my text, both in the first prayer and in the ser- 
mon. I was enabled to pour out my soul to God 
with great freedom, fervency, and affection ; and, 
blessed be the Lord, it was a comfortable season 
to me. I was enabled to speak with tenderness, 
and yet with faithfulness ; and divine truths seem- 
ed to fall with weight and influence upon the 
hearers. My heart was melted for the dear as- 
sembly, and I loved every body in it ; and scarce 
ever felt more love to immortal souls in my life ; 
my soul cried, s O that the dear creatures might 
be saved ! O that God would have mercy on 
them !' 

" October 12.^— Oh, how precious is time ! 
And how guilty it makes me feel, when I think I 
have trifled away and misimproved it, or neglect- 
ed to fill up each part of it with duty to the ut- 
most of my ability and capacity ! 



DESIRE TO Bfi USEFUL. 285 

" November 3. — Being now in so weak and low 
a state, that I was utterly incapable of perform- 
ing my work, and having little hope of recovery, 
unless by much riding, I thought it my duty to 
take a lengthy journey into New England, and to 
divert myself among my friends, whom I had not 
now seen for a long time. And accordingly took 
leave of my congregation this day. Before I left 
my people I visited them all in their respective 
houses, and discoursed to each one as I thought 
most proper and suitable for their circumstances, 
and found great freedom and assistance in so do- 
ing : I scarcely left one house but some were in 
tears ; and many were not only affected with my 
being about to leave them, but with the solemn 
addresses I made them upon divine things; for I 
was helped to be fervent in spirit while I discours- 
ed to them. When I had thus gone through my 
congregation, which took me most of the day, and 
had taken leave of them and of the school, I left 
home, and rode about two miles, to the house 
where I lived in the summer past, and there lodg- 
ed. Was refreshed this evening, in that I had 
left my congregation so well disposed and affect- 
ed, and that I had been so much assisted in mak- 
ing my farewell addresses to them." 



286 DAVID BRAINERD. 

The following passages contain the account 
given by President Edwards of 

MR. BRAINERD's STATE OF MIND IN THE NEAR 
PROSPECT OF DEATH. 

" He told me, when near his end, that 6 he never 
in all his life had his mind so led forth in desires 
and earnest prayers for the flourishing of Christ's 
kingdom on earth, as since he was brought so 
exceeding low at Boston.' He seemed much to 
wonder that there appeared no more of a dispo- 
sition in ministers and people to pray for the 
flourishing of religion through the world ; that so 
little a part of their prayers was generally taken 
up about it in their families, and elsewhere ; and 
particularly, he several times expressed his wonder 
that there appeared no more forwardness to com- 
ply with the proposal lately made, in a memorial 
from a number of ministers in Scotland, and sent 
over into America, for united extraordinary 
prayer, among Christ's ministers and people, for 
the coming of Christ's kingdom : and he sent it as 
his dying advice to his own congregation, that 
they should practise it agreeably to that pro- 
posal. 

" Though he was constantly exceeding weak, 
yet there appeared in him a continual care well 
to improve time, and fill it up with something that 
might be profitable, and in some respect for the 
glory of God or the good of men : either profitable 



STATE WHEN NEAR DEATH. 287 

conversation, or writing letters to absent friends, 
or noting something in his diary, or looking over 
his former writings, correcting them, and prepar- 
ing them to be left in the hands of others at his 
death, or giving some directions concerning a fu- 
ture conducting and management of his people, or 
employment in secret devotions. He seemed never 
to be easy, however ill, if he was not doing some- 
thing for God or in his service. 

" The extraordinary frame that he was in that 
evening (when near death) could not be hid ; ' his 
mouth spake out of the abundance of his heart,' ex- 
pressing in a very affecting manner much the same 
things as are written in his diary ; and among very 
many other extraordinary expressions, which he 
then uttered, were such as these : — ' My heaven 
is to please God, and glorify him, and to give all to 
him, and to be wholly devoted to his glory ; that 
is the heaven I long for ; that is my religion, and 
that is my happiness, and always was ever since 
I suppose I had any true religion ; and all those 
that are of that religion shall meet me in heaven. 
I do not go to heaven to be advanced, but to give 
honour to God. It is no matter where I shall be 
stationed in heaven, whether I have a high or low 
seat there ; but to love, and please, and glorify 
God is all : had I a thousand souls, if they were 
worth any thing, I would give them all to God ; 
but I have nothing to give when all is done. 
It is impossible for any rational creature to be 
1 



288 DAVID BRAINERD. 

happy without acting all for God: God himself 
could not make him happy any other way. I 
long to be in heaven, praising and glorifying God 
with the holy angels : all my desire is to glorify 
God. My heart goes out to the burying place ; it 
seems to me a desirable place : but Oh to glorify 
God ! that is it; that is above all. It is a great 
comfort to me to think that I have done a little 
for God in the world : Oh ! it is but a very small 
matter ; yet I have done a little ; and I lament it 
that I have not done more for him. There is no- 
thing in the world worth living for, but doing 
good and finishing God's work, doing the work 
that Christ did. I see nothing else in the world 
that can yield any satisfaction besides living to 
God, pleasing him, and doing his whole will. My 
greatest joy and comfort has been, to do some- 
thing for promoting the interest of religion, and 
the souls of particular persons : and now, in my 
illness, while I am full of pain and distress, from 
day to day, all the comfort I have is in being able 
to do some little char (or small piece of work) for 
God, either by something that I say, or by writ- 
ing, or some other way.' 

" He intermingled with these and other like 
expressions many pathetical counsels to those that 
were about him, particularly to my children and 
servants. He applied himself to some of my 
younger children at this time; calling them to 
him, and speaking to them one by one ; setting 



VJEWS WHEN NEAR DEATH. 289 

before them, in a very plain manner, the nature 
and essence of true piety, and its great import- 
ance and necessity ; earnestly warning them not 
to rest in any thing short of that true and tho- 
rough change of heart, and a life devoted to God ; 
counselling them not to be slack in the great bu- 
siness of religion, nor in the least to delay it ; en- 
forcing his counsels with this, that his words 
were the words of a dying man : said he, 6 1 shall 
die here, and here I shall be buried, and here you 
will see my grave, and do you remember what I 
have said to you. I am going into eternity; 
and it is sweet to me to think of eternity ; the end- 
lessness of it makes it sweet : but Oh, what shall 
I say to the eternity of the wicked ! I cannot 
mention it, nor think of it ; the thought is too 
dreadful. When you see my grave, then remem- 
ber what I said to you while I was alive ; then 
think with yourself, how that man that lies in that 
grave counselled and warned me to prepare for 
death.' 

" He now, and from time to time, in this his 
dying state, recommended to his brother a life of 
self-denial, of weanedness from the world, and 
devotedness to God, and an earnest endeavour to 
obtain much of the grace of God's Spirit, and 
God's gracious influences on his heart; repre- 
senting the great need which ministers stand in 
of them, and the unspeakable benefit of them 
from his own experience. Among many other 



290 DAVID BRAINERD. 

expressions, he said thus : 6 When ministers feel 
these special gracious influences on their hearts, 
it wonderfully assists them to come at the con- 
sciences of men, and as it were to handle them 
with hands; whereas, without them, whatever 
reason and oratory we make use of, we do but 
make use of stumps instead of hands.' ' 



SKETCH OF MR. BRAINERD S CHARACTER, GIVEN 
BY PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 

" I found him remarkably sociable, pleasant, 
and entertaining in his conversation ; yet solid, 
savoury, spiritual, and very profitable ; appearing 
meek, modest, and humble, far from any stiffness, 
moroseness, superstitious demureness, or affected 
singularity in speech or behaviour, and seeming 
to nauseate all such things. We enjoyed not on- 
ly the benefit of his conversation, but had the 
comfort and advantage of hearing him pray in the 
family from time to time. His manner of pray- 
ing was very agreeable ; most becoming a worm 
of the dust, and a disciple of Christ, addressing 
to an infinitely great and holy God, and Father 
of mercies ; not with florid expressions, or a stu- 
died eloquence ; not with any intemperate vehe- 
mence, or indecent boldness ; at the greatest dis- 
tance from any appearance of ostentation, and 
from every thing that might look as though he 



SKETCH OF HIS CHARACTER. 291 

meant to recommend himself to those that were 
about him, or set himself off to their acceptance ; 
free too from vain repetitions, without impertinent 
excursions, or needless multiplying of words. 
He expressed himself with the strictest propriety, 
with weight, and pungency ; and yet what his lips 
uttered seemed to flow from the fulness of his 
heart, as deeply impressed with a great and so- 
lemn sense of our necessities, unworthiness, and 
dependence, and of God's infinite greatness, ex- 
cellency, and sufficiency, rather than merely from 
a warm and fruitful brain, pouring out good ex- 
pressions. And I know not that ever I heard 
him so much as ask a blessing or return thanks 
at table, but there was something remarkable to 
be observed both in the matter and manner of the 
performance. In his prayers he insisted much 
on the prosperity of Zion, the advancement of 
Christ's kingdom in the world, and the flourish- 
ing and propagation of religion among the Indi- 
ans. And he generally made it one petition in 
his prayer, ' that we might not outlive our use- 
fulness.' 

" Is there not much in the preceding memoirs 
of Mr. Brainerd to teach, and excite to duty, us 
who are called to the work of the ministry, and 
all that are candidates for that great work? 
What a deep sense did he seem to have of the 
greatness and importance of that work, and with 
what weight did it lie on his mind ! How sensi- 



292 DAVID BRAINERD. 

ble was he of his own insufficiency for this work, 
and how great was his dependence on God's suf- 
ficiency ! How solicitous that he might be fitted 
for it ! And to this end, how much time did he 
spend in prayer and fasting, as well as reading 
and meditation, giving himself to these things ! 
How did he dedicate his whole life, all his powers 
and talents to God ; and forsake and renounce the 
world, with all its pleasing and ensnaring enjoy- 
ments, that he might be wholly at liberty to serve 
Christ in this work ; and to 6 please him who had 
chosen him to be a soldier, under the Captain of 
our salvation !' With what solicitude, solemnity, 
and diligence did he devote himself to God our 
Saviour, and seek his presence and blessing in 
secret, at the time of his ordination ! And how 
did his whole heart appear to be constantly en- 
gaged, his whole time employed, and his whole 
strength spent in the business he then solemnly 
undertook and was publicly set apart to ! And 
his history shows us the right way to success in 
the work of the ministry. He sought it, as a re- 
solute soldier seeks victory in a siege or battle, 
or as a man that runs a race for a great prize. 
Animated with love to Christ and souls, how did 
he 'labour always fervently,' not only hi word 
and doctrine, in public and private, but in prayers 
day and night, 6 wrestling with God' in secret, 
and ' travailing in birth,' with unutterable groans 
and agonies, 'until Christ were formed' in the 



SKETCH OF HIS CHARACTER. 293 

hearts of the people to whom he was sent ! How 
did he thirst for a blessing on his ministry ; and 
' watch for souls as one that must give an ac- 
count !' How did he ' go forth in the strength 
of the Lord God ;' seeking and depending on a 
special influence of the Spirit to assist and suc- 
ceed him ! And what was the happy fruit at last, 
though after long waiting, and many dark and 
discouraging appearances ! Like a true son of 
Jacob, he persevered in wrestling, through all the 
darkness of the night, until the breaking of the 
day. 

" And his example of labouring, praying, de- 
nying himself, and enduring hardness, with un- 
fainting resolution and patience, and his faithful, 
vigilant, and prudent conduct in many other re- 
spects, (which it would be too long now particu- 
larly to recite,) may afford instruction to mission- 
aries in particular." 



Letter to a young gentleman, a candidate for 
the ministry, for whom Mr. Brain erd had a spe- 
cial friendship, written at the time of his great ill- 
ness, and apparent nearness to death, while in 
Boston. 

" Very dear Sir, — How amazing it is that the 
living, who know they must die, should, notwith- 
standing, 6 put far away the evil day/ in a season 
of health and prosperity ; and live at such an aw- 



294, DAVID BRAINERD. 

ful distance from a familiarity with the grave, and 
the great concerns beyond it ! And especially 
it may justly fill us with surprise, that any whose 
minds have been divinely enlightened, to behold 
the important things of eternity as they are, I 
say, that such should live in this manner. And 
yet, Sir, how frequently is this the case ? How 
rare are the instances of those who live and act, 
from day to day, as on the verge of eternity ; 
striving to fill up all their remaining moments in 
the service, and to the honour of their great Mas- 
ter ? We insensibly trifle away time, while we 
seem to have enough of it ; and are so strangely 
amused, as in a great measure to lose a sense of 
the holiness and blessed qualifications necessary 
to prepare us to be inhabitants of the heavenly 
paradise. But Oh, dear Sir, a dying bed, if we 
enjoy our reason clearly, will give another view 
of things. I have now, for more than three weeks, 
lain under the greatest degree of weakness ; the 
greater part of the time expecting daily and hour- 
ly to enter into the eternal world : sometimes have 
been so far gone, as to be wholly speechless for 
some hours together. And Oh, of what vast im- 
portance has a holy spiritual life appeared to me 
to be in this season ! I have longed to call upon 
all my friends to make it their business to live 
to God ; and especially all that are designed for, 
or engaged in the service of the sanctuary. O, 
dear Sir, do not think it enough, to live at the 



DYING ADVICES. 295 

rate of common Christians. Alas, to how little 
purpose do they often converse, When they meet 
together ! The visits, even of those who are 
called Christians indeed, are frequently extreme 
barren; and conscience cannot but condemn us 
for the misimprovement of time, while we have 
been conversant with them. But the way to en- 
joy the divine presence, and be fitted for distin- 
guishing service for God, is to live a life of great 
devotion and constant self-dedication to him ; ob- 
serving the motions and dispositions of our own 
hearts, whence we may learn the corruptions that 
lodge there, and our constant need of help from 
God for the performance of the least duty. And 
Oh, dear Sir, let me beseech you frequently to at- 
tend the great and precious duties of secret fasting 
and prayer. 

" Suffer me, therefore, finally, to intreat you 
earnestly to £ give yourself to prayer, to reading, 
and meditation' on divine truths ; strive to pene- 
trate to the bottom of them, and never be content 
with a superficial knowledge. By this means, 
your thoughts will gradually grow weighty and 
judicious ; and you hereby will be possessed of a 
valuable treasure, out of which you may produce 
6 things new and old,' to the glory of God.'* 



The last extract I insert is from a letter ad- 
dressed to his brother John, written when he was 



296 DAVID BRAINERD. 

on the brink of the grave, and the summer before 
his death. 

" And now, my dear brother, as I must press 
you to pursue after personal holiness, to be as 
much in fasting and prayer as your health will 
allow, and to live above the rate of common 
Christians ; so I must intreat you solemnly to at- 
tend to your public work : labour to distinguish 
between true and false religion : and to that end, 
watch the motions of God's Spirit upon your own 
heart ; look to him for help ; and impartially com- 
pare your experiences with his word. Read Mr. 
Edwards on the affections, where the essence and 
soul of religion is clearly distinguished from false 
affections. 

" Charge my people in the name of their dy- 
ing minister, yea, in the name of him who was 
dead and is alive, to live and walk as becomes the 
gospel. Tell them how great the expectations of 
God and his people are from them, and how aw- 
fully they will wound God's cause, if they fall in- 
to vice ; as well as fatally prejudice other poor 
Indians. Always insist that their experiences are 
rotten, that their joys are delusive, although they 
may have been rapt up into the third heavens in 
their own conceit by them, unless the main tenour 
of their lives be spiritual, watchful, and holy. In 
pressing these things, ' thou shalt both save thy- 
self, and those that hear thee.' " 



REV. RICHARD CECIL. 



In that very interesting book entitled " Remains 
of the late Rev. Richard Cecil," and containing 
many striking, judicious, and original remarks on 
various subjects, there is a considerable portion 
devoted to observations on the Christian ministry. 
The following extracts then cannot fail to be read 
with interest and advantage, as expressing the 
result of the matured observation and experience 
of this valuable and useful minister of Christ. 

ON A MINISTER'S QUALIFYING HIMSELF FOR HIS 
OFFICE. 

" When a young minister sets out, he should 
sit down and ask himself how he may best qualify 
himself for his office. 

" How does a physician qualify himself? It is 
not enough that he offers to feel the pulse. He 



298 RICHARD CECIL. 

must read, and inquire, and observe, and make 
experiments, and correct himself again and again. 
He must lay in a stock of medical knowledge be- 
fore he begins to feel the pulse. 

" The minister is a physician of a far higher 
order. He has a vast field before him. He has 
to study an infinite variety of constitutions. He 
is to furnish himself with the knowledge of the 
whole system of remedies. He is to be a man of 
skill and expedient. If one thing fail, he must 
know how to apply another. Many intricate and 
perplexed cases will come before him : it will be 
disgraceful to him not to be prepared for such. 
His patients will put many questions to him : it 
will be disgraceful to him npt to be prepared to 
answer them. He is a merchant embarking in 
extensive concerns. A little ready money in the 
pocket will not answer the demands that will be 
made upon him. Some of us seem to think it 
will, but they are grossly deceived. There must 
be a well-furnished account at the banker's. 

" But it is not all gold that glitters. A young 
minister must learn to separate and select his 
materials. A man who talks to himself will find 
out what suits the heart of man : some things re- 
spond : they ring again. Nothing of this nature 
is lost on mankind : it is worth its weight in gold, 
for the service of a minister. He must remark, 
too, what it is that puzzles and distracts the mind : 
all this is to be avoided : it may wear the garb of 



QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE MINISTRY. <299 

deep research, and great acumen, and extensive 
learning; but it is nothing to the mass of man- 
kind. 

" One of the most important considerations in 
making a sermon, is to disembarrass it as much as 
possible. The sermons of the last century were 
like their large unwieldy chairs. Men have now 
a far more true idea of a chair. They consider 
it as a piece of furniture to sit upon, and they cut 
away from it every thing that embarrasses and 
encumbers it. It requires as much reflection and 
wisdom to know what is not to be put into a ser- 
mon as what is. 

" He should become a philosopher also. He 
should make experiments on himself and others, 
in order to find out what will produce effect. He 
is a fisherman ; and the fisherman must fit him- 
self to his employment. If some fish will bite 
only by day, he must fish by day : if others will 
bite only by moon-light, he must fish for them by 
moon-light. He has an engine to work, and it 
must be his most assiduous endeavour to work 
his engine to the full extent of its powers : and, 
to find out its powers, is the first step toward suc- 
cess and effect. 

" But all the minister's efforts will be vanity, 
or worse than vanity, if he have not unction. 
Unction must come down from heaven, and 
spread a savour, and relish, and feeling over his 
ministry. And, among all the other means of 



300 RICHARD CECIL. 

qualifying himself for his office, the Bible must 
hold the first place, and the last also must be 
given to the word of God and prayer " 



ON THE ASSISTANCE WHICH A MINISTER HAS REA- 
SON TO EXPECT IN THE DISCHARGE OF HIS PUB- 
LIC DUTY. 

" Some men set up exorbitant notions about 
accuracy. But exquisite accuracy is totally lost 
on mankind. The greater part of those who hear, 
cannot be brought to see the points of the accu- 
rate man. The scriptures are not written in this 
manner. I should advise a young minister to 
break through all such cobwebs as these unphi- 
losophical men would spin round him. An hum- 
ble and modest man is silenced, if he sees one of 
these critics before him. He should say, ' I am 
God's servant. To my own master I stand or 
fall. I will labour according to the utmost abi- 
lity which God giveth, and leave all consequences 
to him.' 

" We are especially taught in the New Testa- 
ment to glorify the Spirit of God : and, in his 
gracious operations in our ministry, we are nearer 
the apostolic times than we often think ourselves. 

" But this assistance is to be expected by us, 
as labourers in the vineyard ; not as rhapsodists. 
Idle men may be pointed out, who have abused 



ASSISTANCE TO BE EXPECTED. 301 

the doctrine of divine assistance ; but what has 
not been abused? We must expect a special 
blessing to accompany the truth : not to super- 
sede labour, but to rest on and accompany la- 
bour. 

" A minister is to be in season, and out of sea- 
son; and, therefore, everywhere a minister. He 
will not employ himself in writing secular histo- 
ries ; he will not busy himself in prosecuting ma- 
thematical inquries. He will labour directly in 
his high calling ; and indirectly, in a vast variety 
of ways, as he may be enabled : and God may 
bless that word in private, which may have been 
long heard in public in vain. 

" A minister should satisfy himself in saying, 
6 It matters not what men think of my talents. 
Am I doing what I can?' — for there is great en- 
couragement in that commendation of our Lord's, 
She hath done what she could. 

" I have been cured of expecting the Holy 
Spirit's influence without due preparation on our 
part, by observing how men preach who take up 
that error. I have heard such men talk nonsense 
by the hour. 

" We must combine Luther with St. Paul — 
£ Bene orasse est bene studuisse,' must be united with 
St. Paul's ' Meditate upon these things : give thyself 
wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to alU 
One errs who says, 6 I will preach a reputable 
sermon ;' and another errs who says, { I will leave 



302 RICHARD CECIL. 

all to the assistance of the Holy Spirit,' while he 
has neglected a diligent preparation." 



ON PREACHING CHRIST. 

" Christ is God's great ordinance. Nothing 
ever has been done, nor will be done to purpose, 
but so far as he is held forth with simplicity. 
All the lines must centre in him. I feel this in 
my own experience, and therefore I govern my 
ministry by it : but then this is to be done accord- 
ing to the analogy of faith — not ignorantly, absurd- 
ly, and falsely. I doubt not, indeed, but that ex- 
cess on this side is less pernicious than excess on 
the other ; because God will bless his own espe- 
cial ordinance, though partially understood, and 
partially exhibited. 

" There are many weighty reasons for render- 
ing Christ prominent in our ministry : — 

" Christ cheers the prospect. — Every thing 
connected with him has light and gladness thrown 
round it. I look out of my window : the scene is 
scowling — dark — frigid — forbidding : I shudder 
— my heart is chilled. But let the sun break 
forth from the cloud — I can feel — I can act — I 
can spring. 

" God descending and dwelling with man, is a 
truth so infinitely grand, that it must absorb all 
1 



OX PREACHING CHRIST. 303 

others. ; You are his attendants ! AVell ! But 
the King ! There he is ! — the King !' 

" Out of Christ God is not intelligible, much 
less amiable. 

" God puts peculiar honour on the preaching 
of Christ crucified. A philosopher may philoso- 
phize his hearers, but the preaching of Christ 
must convert them. John the Baptist will make 
his hearers tremble : but if the least in the king- 
dom of heaven is greater than he, let him exhibit 
that peculiar feature of his superiority — Jesus 
Christ. Men may preach Christ ignorantly — 
blunderingly — absurdly : vet God will give it 
efficacy, because he is determined to magnify his 
own ordinance. 

ii Too much dependence is often placed on a 
system of rational contrivance. An ingenious 
man thinks he can so manage to preach Christ, 
that his hearers will say, i Here is nothing of me- 
thodism ! This has nothing to do with that sys- 
tem ! ' I will venture to say, if this is the senti- 
ment communicated by his ministry, that he has 
not delivered his message. The people do not 
know what he means, or he has kept back part of 
God's truth. He has fallen on a carnal contriv- 
ance to avoid a cross ; and he does no good to 
souls. The whole message must be delivered; 
and it is better it should be delivered even coarse- 
ly, than not at all. We may lay it down as a 
principle, that if the gospel be a medicine, and a 



304 RICHARD CECIL. 

specific too — as it is — it must be got down such 
as it is. Any attempt to sophisticate and adul- 
terate will deprive it of its efficacy ; and will often 
recoil on the man who makes the attempt, to his 
shame and confusion. The Jesuits tried to ren- 
der Christianity palatable to the Chinese by adul- 
terating it, but the Jesuits were driven with ab- 
horrence from the empire. 

" We must be cautious too, since men of God 
have been and ever will be the butt and scorn of 
the world, of thinking that we can escape its 
sneers and censures. It is a foolish project to 
avoid giving offence ; but it is our duty to avoid 
giving unnecessary offence. It is necessary of- 
fence, if it is given by the truth ; but it is unne- 
cessary, if our own spirit occasion it. 

" The knowledge of Jesus Christ is a wonder- 
ful mystery. Some men think they preach Christ 
gloriously, because they name him every two mi- 
nutes in their sermons. But that is not preach- 
ing Christ. To understand, and enter into, and 
open his various offices and characters — the glo- 
ries of his person and work — his relation to us, 
and ours to him, and to God the Father and God 
the Spirit through him — this is the knowledge of 
Christ. The divines of the present day are stunt- 
ed dwarfs in this knowledge, compared with the 
great men of the last age. To know Jesus Christ 
for ourselves, is to make him a consolation, de- 



EXTREMES TO BE AVOIDED. 305 

light, strength, righteousness, companion, and 
end. 

" Let there be no extremes : yet I am arrived at 
this conviction : — Men who lean toward the ex- 
treme of evangelical privileges in their ministry, 
do much more to the conversion of their hearers, 
than they do, who lean toward the extreme of 
requirement. And my own experience con- 
firms my observation. I feel myself repelled, if 
any thing chills, loads, or urges me. This is my 
nature, and I see it to be very much the nature 
of other men. But let me hear, Son of man, 
thou hast played the harlot with many lovers ; yet 
return again to me, saith the Lord — I am melted 
and subdued." 



ON A MINISTER S FAMILIAR INTERCOURSE WITH 
HIS HEARERS. 

" It is a snare to a minister when in company, 
to be drawn out to converse largely on the state 
of the funds, and on the news of the day. He 
should know the world, and what is doing in the 
world, and should give things of this nature their 
due place and proportion ; but if he can be drawn 
out to give twenty opinions on this or that sub- 
ject of politics or literature, he is lowered in his 
tone. A man of sense feels something violent in 
x 



306 RICHARD CECIL. 

the transition from such conversation to the Bible 
and to prayer. 

" Dinner visits can seldom be rendered really 
profitable to the mind. The company are so 
much occupied, that little good is to be done. A 
minister should show his sense of the value of 
time; it is a sad thing when those around him 
begin to yawn. He must be a man of business. 
It is not sufficiently considered how great the 
sin of idleness is. We talk in the pulpit of the 
value of time, but we act too little on what we 
say." 



ON A MINISTER ENCOURAGING ANIMADVERSIONS 
ON HIMSELF. 

"It is a serious inquiry for a minister, how 
far he should encourage animadversion on him- 
self in his hearers. He will encounter many ig- 
norant and many censorious remarks, but he may 
gain much on the whole. 

He should lay down to himself a few princi- 
ples. 

It is better that a minister smart than mistake. It 
is better that a traveller meet a surly, impertinent 
fellow to direct him his way, than lose his way. 
A minister is so important in his office, that, 



ATTENDING TO ANIMADVERSIONS. 307 

whatever others think of it, he should regard this 
and this only as the transaction for eternity. 

" A minister must lay it down also as a princi- 
ple, that he will never sufficiently understand his own 
pride and self-love ) and that confidence in his own 
sense, which cleaves closely to every man. He must 
consider this as the general malady. 

" A minister should consider how much more 
easily a weak man can read a wise man, than a wise 
man can read himself ; and that for this reason, 
no man can see and hear himself. He is too 
much formed in his own habits, his family no- 
tions, his closet notions, to detect himself. When 
Apelles took his stand behind his picture, he was 
a wise man ; and he was a wise man too, when 
he altered the shoe on the hint of the cobler ; 
the cobler, in his place, was to be heard. 

" A minister should consider, too, that few 
will venture to speak to a public man. It is a rare 
thing to hear a man say, — 6 Upon my word that 
thing, or your general manner, is defective or 
improper.' If a wise man says this, he shows a 
regard, which the united stock of five hundred 
flatterers will not equal. I would set down half 
the blunders of ministers to their not listening to 
animadversion. 

" Let him consider, moreover, that this aver- 
sion from reproof is not wise. This is a symptom of 
the disease. Why should he want this hushing- 
up of the disorder? This is a mark of a little 



308 RICHARD CECIL. 

mind. A great man can afford to lose ; a little 
insignificant fellow is afraid of being snuffed 

out. 

" A minister should remember that he is not 
always to act and speak authoritatively. He sits on 
his friend's chair, and his friend says his things 
to him with frankness. They may want, per- 
haps, a little decorum; but he should receive them 
in the most friendly and good-humoured way in 
the world. A thing strikes this man and that 
man: he may depend on it that it has some 
foundation. 

" The minister must have decided superiority 
and authority, or he will want one of the prin- 
cipal qualities of his ministry. This is not in- 
consistent with receiving hints. He may mistake 
in some things ; but he should mark the com- 
plexion of his congregation in deciding how far 
they are to be heard on his mistakes. If the 
people are heady, forward, confident in their own 
sense, they are never to be encouraged. They 
are gone too far." 



ON THE MEANS OF PROMOTING A SPIRIT OF 
DEVOTION IN CONGREGATIONS. 

" Monotony must be, above all things, avoided. 
The mind is vagrant ; monotony cannot recal it. 
There may be continued vehemence, while the 



PROMOTING A SPIRIT OF DEVOTION. 309 

attention is not excited; it is disturbance and 
noise ; there is nothing to lead the mind into a 
useful train of thought or feeling. 

" There is an opposite error to vehemence. 
Men of sense and literature depress devotion by 
treating things abstractedly. Simplicity, with 
good sense, is of unspeakable value. Religion 
must not be rendered abstract and curious. If a 
curious remark presents itself, reserve it for ano- 
ther place. The hearer gets away from the bus- 
tle and business of the week ; he comes tremb- 
ling under his fears ; he would mount upward 
in his spirit ; but a curious, etymological disqui- 
sition chills and repels him. 

" In truth, we should be men of business in 
our congregations. We should endeavour both 
to excite and instruct our hearers. We should 
render the service an interesting affair in all its 
parts. We should rouse men ; we should bind up 
the broken-hearted ; we should comfort the feeble- 
minded ; we should support the weak ; we should 
become all things to all men, if by any means we 
may save some." 



ON VISITING DEATH-BEDS. 

" We have to deal with a worse death-bed 

character than with the man who opposes the 
truth. Some men assent to every thing which 



310 RICHARD CECIL. 

we propose. They will even anticipate us. And 
yet we see that they mean nothing. I have often 
felt when with such persons — ' I would they 
could be brought to contradict and oppose ! That 
would lead to discussion. God might, perad- 
venture, dash the stony heart in pieces. But this 
heart is like water. The impression dies as fast 
as it is made.' I have sought for such views as 
might rouse and stir up opposition. I have tried 
to irritate the torpid mind. But all in vain. I 
once visited a young clergyman of this character, 
who was seized with a dangerous illness at a 
coffee-house in town, whither some business had 
brought him : the first time I saw him, we con- 
versed very closely together; and, in the pros- 
pect of death, he seemed solicitous to prepare for 
it. But I could make no sort of impression up- 
on him ; all I could possibly say met his entire 
approbation, though I saw his heart felt no in- 
terest in it. When I visited him a second time, 
the fear of death was gone, and, with it, all 
solicitude about religion. He was still civil and 
grateful, but he tried to parry off the business on 
which he knew I came. ' I will show you, Sir, 
some little things with which I have worn away 
the hours of my confinement and solitude.' He 
brought out a quantity of pretty and tasty draw- 
ings. I was at a loss how to express, with suita- 
ble force and delicacy, the high sense I felt of 
his indecorum and insipidity, and to leave a deep 
1 



VISITING DEATH-BEDS. 311 

impression on his conscience — I rose, however, 
instantly — said my time was expired — wished him 
well, and withdrew. 

" Sometimes we have a painful part to act with 
sincere men, who have been carried too much into 
the world. I was called in to visit such a man. 
* I find no comfort,' he said. ' God veils his 
face from me. Every thing round me is dark 
and uncertain.' I did not dare to act the flatterer. 
I said — i Let us look faithfully into the state of 
things. I should have been surprised if you had 
not felt thus. I believe you to be sincere. Your 
state of feelings evinces your sincerity. Had I 
found you exulting in God, I should have con- 
cluded that you were either deceived or a decei- 
ver ; for, while God acts in his usual order, how 
could you expect to feel otherwise on the approach 
of death, than you do feel? You have driven 
hard after the world. Your spirit has been ab- 
sorbed in its cares. Your sentiment — your con- 
versation, have been in the spirit of the world. 
And have you any reason to expect the response 
of conscience, and the clear evidence, which a- 
wait the man who has walked and lived in close 
friendship with God ? You know that what I 
say is true.' His wife interrupted me, by assur- 
ing me that he had been an excellent man. * Si- 
lence !' said the dying penitent, ' it is all true !'" 



312 RICHARD CECIL. 

MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS ON THE CHRISTIAN 
MINISTRY. 

" Christianity is so great and surprising in its 
nature, that, in preaching it to others, I have no 
encouragement but the belief of a continued di- 
vine operation. It is no difficult thing to change 
a man's opinions. It is no difficult thing to at- 
tach a man to my person and notions. It is no 
difficult thing to convert a proud man to spiritual 
pride, or a passionate man to passionate zeal for 
some religious party. But, to bring a man to 
love God, to love the law of God, while it con- 
demns him, to loath himself before God, to 
tread the earth under his feet, to hunger and 
thirst after God in Christ, and after the mind that 
was in Christ — with man this is impossible ! But 
God has said it shall be done ; and bids me go 
forth and preach, that by me, as his instrument, 
he may effect these great ends ; and therefore I 
go. Yet I am obliged continually to call my mind 
back to my principles. I feel angry, perhaps, 
with a man, because he will not let me convert 
him : in spite of all I can say, he will still love 
the world." 

" St. Paul admonishes Timothy to endure hard- 
ness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. It some- 
times falls to the lot of a minister to endure the 
hard labour of a nurse, in a greater measure 
than that of a soldier. He has to encounter the 



MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS. 313 

difficulties of a peculiar situation ; he is the pa- 
rent of a family of children, of various tempers, 
manners, habits, and prejudices ; if he does not 
continually mortify himself, he will bear hardly 
upon some of his children. He has, however, to 
endure the hardness of calling his child — his 
friend — to an account ; of being thought a severe, 
jealous, legal man. If a man will let matters 
take their chance, he may live smoothly and 
quietly enough ; but if he will stir among the ser- 
vants, and sift things to the bottom, he must bear 
the consequences. He must account himself a 
man of strife. His language must be, ' It is not 
enough that you feed me, or nil my pocket, there 
is something between me and thee.' The most 
tender and delicate of his flock have their fail- 
ings. His warmest and most zealous supporters 
break down somewhere. A sun-shiny day breeds 
most reptiles. It is not enough, therefore, that 
the sun shines out in his church. It is not enough 
that numbers shout applause." 

66 A minister must keep under his body, and bring 
it into subjection. A Newmarket-groom will sweat 
himself thin, that he may be fit for his office ; 
now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we, 
an incorruptible !" 

" It is a most important point of duty, in a 
minister, to redeem time. A young minister has 
sometimes called an old one out of his study, on- 
ly to ask him how he did : there is a tone to be 



314 RICHARD CECIL. 

observed towards such an idler ; an intimation 
may be given, which he will understand, < This 
is not the house V " 

" Owen remarks, that it is not sufficiently con- 
sidered how much a minister's personal religion 
is exposed to danger, from the very circumstance 
of religion being his profession and employment. 
He must go through the acts of religion ; he must 
put on the appearances of religion ; he must utter 
the language and display the feelings of religion. 
It requires double diligence and vigilance, to 
maintain, under such circumstances, the spirit of 
religion. I have prayed ; I have talked ; I have 
preached ; but now 1 should perish after all, if I 
did not feed on the bread which I have broken 
to others."* 

" A minister must cultivate a tender spirit If 
he does this so as to carry a savour and unction 

* It is not very manifest what part of Dr. Owen's writings 
Mr. Cecil had in his eye here. But there is one passage to which 
it is not improbable he may refer, where the Doctor's language 
is so striking, and so much calculated to rouse to the greatest vi- 
gilance that it deserves to be quoted at length — " He that would 
go down to the pit in peace, let him keep up duties in his family 
and closet ; let him hear as often as he can have opportunity ; 
let him speak often of good things ; let him leave the company 
of profane and ignorant men, until he have obtained a great re- 
pute for religion ; let him preach and labour to make others bet- 
ter than he is himself; and in the mean time neglect to 

HUMBLE HIS HEART AND TO WALK WITH GOD IN A MANI- 
FEST holiness and usefulness, and he will not fail of his 
end." — Dr. Owen's Sermons and Tracts, p. 47. London, 1 721, folio. 
Editor. 



MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS. 315 

into his work, he will have far more weight than 
other men. This is the result of a devotional 
habit. To affect feeling is nauseous and soon 
detected ; but to feel, is the readiest way to the 
hearts of others." 

" The leading defect in Christian ministers is 
want of a devotional habit. The Church of Rome 
made much of this habit. The contests accom- 
panying and following the Reformation, with 
something of an indiscriminate enmity against 
some of the good of that Church as well as the 
evil, combined to repress this spirit in the Pro- 
testant writings ; whereas the mind of Christ 
seems, in fact, to be the grand end of Christian- 
ity in its operation upon man." 

" There is a manifest want of spiritual influ- 
ence on the ministry of the present day. I feel 
it in my own case, and I see it in that of others. 
I am afraid that there is too much of a low, man- 
aging, contriving, manoeuvring temper of mind 
among us. We are laying ourselves out, more 
than is expedient, to meet one man's taste, and 
another man's prejudices. The ministry is a 
grand and holy affair ; and it should find in us a 
simple habit of spirit, and a holy but humble in- 
difference to all consequences." 

" Several things are required to enable a mi- 
nister to attain a proper variety in his manner. 
He must be in continual practice : if I were to 
preach but once a month, I should lose the abili- 



316 RICHARD CECIL. 

ty of preaching. He must know that his hearers 
are attached to him— that they will grant him in- 
dulgencies and liberties. He must, in some mea- 
sure, feel himself above his congregation. The 
presence of a certain brother chills me ; because 
I feel that I can talk on no one subject in the 
pulpit, with which he is not far better acquainted 
than I am." 

" The first duty of a minister is, to call on 
his hearers to turn to the Lord. i We have much 
to speak to you upon. We have many duties to 
urge on you. We have much instruction to give 
you — but all will be thrown away, till you have 
turned to the Lord J Let me illustrate this by a 
familiar comparison. You see your child sinking 
in the water ; his education lies near your heart ; 
you are anxious to train him up so, that he may 
occupy well the post assigned to him in life. But, 
when you see him drowning, the first thoughts are, 
not how you may educate him, but how you may 
save him. Restore him to life, and then call that 
life into action." 

" That a minister may learn how to magnify 
his office, let him study the character, the spirit, 
and the history of St. Paul. His life and death 
were one magnifying of his office : mark his ob- 
ject — to win souls ! — to execute the will of God ! 
As the man rises in his own esteem, his office 
sinks ; but, as the office rises in his view, the man 
falls. He must be in constant hostility with him- 



MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS. 317 

self, if he would magnify his office. He must 
hold himself in readiness to make sacrifices, when 
called to do so ; he will not barter his office like 
Balaam, but will refuse to sell his service like 
Micaiah. Like Ezra and Nehemiah, he will re- 
fuse to come down from the great work which 
he has to do. He may be calumniated, but he 
will avoid hasty vindications of his character : it 
does not appear that Elisha sent after Naaman 
to vindicate himself from the falsehoods of Ge- 
hazi : there appears to me much true dignity in 
this conduct; I fear I should have wanted pa- 
tience to act thus." 

66 The grand aim of a minister must be the ex- 
hibition of gospel truth. Statesmen may make 
the greatest blunders in the world, but that is not 
his affair. Like a king's messenger, he must 
not stop to take care of a person fallen down ; if 
he can render any kindness consistently with his 
duty, he will do it; if not, he will prefer his 
office." 

" Our method of preaching is not that by which 
Christianity was propagated; yet the genius of 
Christianity is not changed. There was nothing 
in the primitive method set or formal. The pri- 
mitive bishop stood up, and read the gospel, or 
some other portion of scripture, and pressed on 
the hearers, with great earnestness and affection, 
a few plain and forcible truths evidently result- 
ing from that portion of the divine word : we 



318 RICHARD CECIL. 

take a text and make an oration. Edification was 
then the object of both speaker and hearers ; and, 
while this continues to be the object, no better 
method can be found. A parable, or history, or 
passage of scripture, thus illustrated and enforc- 
ed, is the best method of introducing truth to 
any people who are ignorant of it, and of setting 
it home with power on those who know it ; and 
not formal, doctrinal, argumentative discourses. 
Truth and sympathy are the soul of an efficacious 
ministry." 

" More faith and more grace would make us 
better preachers, for out of the abundance of the 
heart the mouth speaketh, Chrysostom's was the 
right method. Leighton's Lectures on Peter ap- 
proach very near to this method." 

" Some Christian ministers fail in their effect 
on their hearers by not entering as philosophers 
into the state of human nature. They do not 
consider how low the patient is reduced — that 
he is to be treated more as a child— that he is to 
have milk administered to him, instead of strong 
meat They set themselves to plant principles and 
prove points, when they should labour to interest 
the heart. But, after all, men will carry their 
natural character into their ministry* If a man 
has a dry, logical, scholastic turn of mind, we 
shall rarely find him an interesting preacher. One 
in a thousand may meet him, but not more." 



MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS. 319 

" What man on earth is so pernicious a drone 
as an idle clergyman ! — a man, engaged in the 
most serious profession in the world ; who rises 
to eat, and drink, and lounge, and trifle, and goes 
to bed ; and then rises again to do the same ! 
Our office is the most laborious in the world. 
The mind must be always on the stretch, to ac- 
quire wisdom and grace, and to communicate 
them to all who come near. It is well, indeed, 
when a clergyman of genius and learning devotes 
himself to the publication of classics and works 
of literature, if he cannot be prevailed on to turn 
his genius and learning to a more important end. 
Enter into this kind of society — what do you 
hear? — i Have you seen the new edition of So- 
phocles ?' — 4 No ! is a new edition of Sophocles 
undertaken !' and this makes up the conversa- 
tion, and these are the ends, of men who, by pro- 
fession, should win souls ! I received a most 
useful hint from Dr. Bacon, then Father of the 
University, when I was at College. I used fre- 
quently to visit him at his living, near Oxford ; 
he would say to me, ' What are you doing? 
What are your studies ?' — 6 I am reading so and 
so.' — 6 You are quite wrong. When I was young 
I could turn any piece of Hebrew into Greek 
verse with ease. But, when I came into this pa- 
rish, and had to teach ignorant people, I was 
wholly at a loss — I had no furniture. They 
thought me a great man, but that was their igno- 



320 RICHARD CECIL. 

ranee, for I knew as little as they did of what it 
was most important to them to know. Study 
chiefly what you can turn to good account in your 
future life.' " 

" A sermon that has more head infused into it 
than heart, will not come home with efficacy to 
the hearers. ' You must do so and so ; such and 
such consequences will follow if you do not; 
such and such advantages will result from doing 
it :' — this is cold, dead, and spiritless, when it 
stands alone, or even when it is most prominent. 
Let the preacher's head be stored with wisdom ; 
but above all, let his heart so feel his subject, 
that he may infuse life and interest into it, by 
speaking like one who actually possesses and feels 
what he says." 

" Faith is the master- spring of a minister. 
4 Hell is before me, and thousands of souls shut 
up there in everlasting agonies — Jesus Christ 
stands forth to save men from rushing into this 
bottomless abyss — he sends me to proclaim his 
ability and his love : I want no fourth idea ! — 
every fourth idea is contemptible ! — every fourth 
idea is a grand impertinence.' " 

" The meanness of the earthen vessel, which 
conveys to others the gospel treasure, takes no- 
thing from the value of the treasure. A dying 
hand may sign a deed of gift of incalculable value. 
A shepherd's boy may point out the way to a phi- 
losopher. A beggar may be the bearer of an in- 
valuable present." 



MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS. 321 

" A writer of sermons has often no idea how 
many words he uses, to which the common peo- 
ple affix either no meaning, or a false one. He 
speaks, perhaps, of ' relation to God/ but the peo- 
ple, who hear him, affix no other idea to the word 
than that of father, or brother, or relative. The 
preacher must converse with the people, that he 
may acquire their words and phrases." 

" Injudicious preaching increases the offence 
of the cross. Strange interpretations of Scrip- 
ture — ludicrous comparisons — silly stories — 
talking without thinking : — these are occasions of 
enmity." 

" The loose and indiscreet conduct of profess- 
ing Christians, particularly of ministers, is ano- 
ther occasion. The world looks at ministers out 
of the pulpit, to know what they mean when in 

it. 

The following Hints are suggested under the 
title of, 

SOME NEGATIVE RULES GIVEN TO A YOUNG MINISTER. 

See that you do not hinder your success, 

I. BY UNNECESSARILY APPEARING IN DANGEROUS 
OR IMPROPER SITUATIONS. 

" It is one thing to be humble and condescend- 
ing : it is another to render yourself common, 
cheap, and contemptible. The men of the world 
know when a Minister is out of his place — when 

Y 



322 MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS. 

they can oppress him by numbers or circum- 
stances—when they can make him laugh, while 
his office frowns. Well will it be for him, if he 
is only rendered absurd in his future public ad- 
monitions, by his former compliances ; well if, 
being found like St. Peter on dangerous ground, 
he is not seduced, virtually at least, to deny his 
Master." 

II. BY SUSPICIOUS APPEARANCES IN YOUR FAMILY. 

" As the head of your household, you are res- 
ponsible for its appearances. Its pride, sloth, 
and disorder will be yours. You are accountable 
for your wife's conduct, dress, and manners ; as 
well as those of your children, whose education 
must be peculiarly exemplary. Your family is 
to be a picture of what you wish other families to 
be ; and, without the most determined resolution, 
in reliance on God, to finish this picture, cost 
what it will, your recommending family reli- 
gion to others will but create a smile. Your un- 
friendly hearers will recollect enough of Scrip- 
ture to tell you, that you ought, like the primi- 
tive bishop, to be < one that ruleth well his own 
house, having his children in subjection with all 
gravity : for if a man know not how to rule his 
own house, how shall he take care of the church 
of God?" 



MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS. 323 

III. BY MEDDLING, BEYOND YOUR SPHERE, IN 
TEMPORALS. 

" Your aim and conversation, like your sacred 
call, are to be altogether heavenly. As a man of 
God, you have no concern with politics, and par- 
ties and schemes of interest, but you are to live 
above them. There is a sublime spirit in a de- 
voted Minister, which,- as one says of Christianity 
itself, pays no more regard to these things than 
to the battles of rooks, the industry of ants, or 
the policy of bees." 

IV. BY VENTURING OFF GENERAL AND ACKNOW- 
LEDGED GROUND IN SPIRITUALS. 

" By giving strong meat, instead of milk, to 
those who are yet but babes — by giving heed to 
fables, which minister questions rather than godly 
edifying ; amusing the mind, but not affecting the 
heart; often disturbing and bewildering, seldom 
convincing ; frequently raising a smile, never 
drawing a tear." 

V. BY MAINTAINING ACKNOWLEDGED TRUTH IN 
YOUR OWN SPIRIT. 

" Both food and medicines are injurious, if ad- 
ministered scalding hot. The spirit of a teacher 
often effects more than his matter. Benevolence 
is a universal language : and it will apologize for 
a multitude of defects, in the man who speaks it ; 
while neither talents nor truth will apologize for 
pride, illiberality, or bitterness. Avoid, there- 



324 MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS. 

fore, irritating occasions and persons, particular- 
ly disputes and disputants, by which a minister 
often loses his temper and his character." 

VI. BY BEING TOO SHARP-SIGHTED, TOO OUICK- 

EARED, OR TOO READY-TONGUED. 

" Some evils are irremediable : they are best 
neither seen nor heard : by seeing and hearing 
things which you cannot remove, you will create 
implacable adversaries ; who, being guilty aggres- 
sors, never forgive. Avoid speaking meanly or 
harshly of any one : not only because this is for- 
bidden to Christians, but because it is to declare 
war as by a thousand heralds." 

VII. BY THE TEMPTATIONS ARISING FROM THE 

FEMALE SEX. 

" I need not mention what havoc Satan has 
made in the church by this means, from the fall 
to this day. Your safety, when in danger from 
this quarter, lies in flight — to parley is to fall. 
Take the first hint from conscience, or from 
friends. 

" In fine, watch thou in all things : endure af- 
flictions : do the work of an evangelist : make full 
proof of thy ministry : and then, whether those 
around you acknowledge your real character or 
not now, they shall one day know that there hath 
been a prophet among them !" 



REV. ROBERT HALL. 



The following extracts are taken from one of the 
few sermons that have been given to the public 
by the Rev. Robert Hall, of Leicester. When 
we reflect on the deep interest with which his 
printed discourses have been read by a very nu- 
merous class of all denominations of Christians, 
and the powerful hold he has thus got of the pub- 
lic mind, it cannot but be a matter of serious re- 
gret that one who is so well qualified to excite, 
to instruct, and to edify, has not more extensively 
employed those eminent talents for general use- 
fulness with which he has been endowed. May 
we not entertain the hope, that before he close his 
career on earth, he w T ill be persuaded to listen to 
the request of his numerous friends, to leave some 
additional memorials of his labours to those who 
shall survive him ? 

The discourse from which the following passa- 
ges are selected is entitled, " On the Discourage- 



326 ROBERT HALL. 

ments and Supports of the Christian Minister." 
It was delivered to the Rev. James Robertson, at 
his ordination over the Independent Church, at 
Stretton, Warwickshire. The text is 2 Cor. iv. 1. 
" Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, as we 
have received mercy, we faint not." 



DIFFICULTIES OF THE MINISTRY. 

" To arrest the attention of the careless, to 
subdue the pride, and soften the obduracy of the 
human heart, so that it shall stoop to the autho- 
rity of an unseen Saviour, is a task which surpasses 
the utmost efforts of human ability, unaided by 
a superior power. In attempting to realize the 
design of the Christian ministry, we are propos- 
ing to call the attention of men from the things 
which are seen and temporal, to things unseen 
and eternal ; to conduct them from a life of sense 
to a life of faith ; to subdue, or weaken at least, 
the influence of a world, which, being always pre- 
sent, is incessantly appealing to the senses, and 
soliciting the heart, in favour of a state, whose very 
existence is ascertained only by testimony. We call 
upon them to crucify the flesh with its affections 
and lusts, to deny the strongest and most inveterate 
propensities, and to renounce the enjoyments 



DIFFICULTIES OF THE MINISTRY. 327 

which they have tasted and felt, for the sake of a 
happiness to which they have no relish. We must 
charge them, as they value their salvation, not to 
love the world, who have been accustomed to 
make it the sole object of their attachment, and 
to return to their allegiance to that almighty and 
invisible Ruler, from whom they have deeply re- 
volted. We present to them, it is true, 6 a feast 
of fat things, of wine on the lees well refined ;' 
we invite them to entertainments more ample and 
exquisite than, but for the gospel, it had entered 
into the heart of man to conceive ; but we address 
our invitations to minds fatally indisposed, alie- 
nated from the life of God, with little sense of 
the value of his favour, and no delight in his con- 
verse. The souls we address, though originally 
formed for these enjoyments, and utterly incapa- 
ble of being happy without them, have lost, 
through the fall, that right taste and apprehen- 
sion of things, which is requisite for the due ap- 
preciation of these blessings, and, like Ezekiel, 
we prophecy to dry bones in the valley of vision, 
which will never live but under the visitation of 
that breath which bloweth where it listeth. This 
indisposition to the things of God, so radical and 
incurable by human power, as it has been a fre- 
quent source of discouragement to the faithful 
minister, so it would prove an invincible obstacle 
to success, did that success depend upon human 
agency. 



328 ROBERT HALL. 

" To these difficulties, which arise from the 
nature of the work, abstractedly considered, must 
be added, those which are modified by a variety 
of circumstances, and which result from that di- 
versity of temper, character and situation, which 
prevails in our auditory. To the several classes 
of which it consists, it is necessary ' rightly to 
divide the word of truth, and give to every one 
his portion of meat in due season.' The epide- 
mic malady of our nature assumes so many shapes, 
and appears under such a variety of symptoms, 
that these may be considered as so many distinct 
diseases, which demand a proportionate variety 
in the method of treatment ; nor will the same 
prescription suit all cases. A different set of 
truths, a different mode of address, is requisite to 
rouse the careless, to beat down the arrogance 
of a self-justifying spirit, from what is necessary 
to comfort the humble and contrite in heart ; nor 
is it easy to say which we should most anxiously 
guard against — the infusion of a false peace, or 
inflaming the wounds which we ought to heal. 
A loose and indiscriminate manner of applying 
the promises and threatenings of the gospel is 
ill-judged and pernicious ; it is not possible to 
conceive a more effectual method of depriving 
the sword of the Spirit of its edge, than adopt- 
ing that lax generality of representation, which 
leaves its hearer nothing to apply, presents no 



DIFFICULTIES OF THE MINISTRY. 329 

incentive to self-examination, and, besides its 
utter inefficiency, disgusts by the ignorance of 
human nature, or the disregard to its best inter- 
ests it infallibly betrays. Without descending to 
such a minute specification of circumstances, as 
shall make our addresses personal, they ought 
unquestionably to be characteristic, that the con- 
science of the audience may feel the hand of the 
preacher searching it, and every individual know 
where to class himself. The preacher who aims 
at doing good, will endeavour above all things, 
to insulate his hearers, to place each of them 
apart, and render it impossible for him to escape 
by losing himself in the crowd. At the day of 
judgment, the attention excited by the surround- 
ing scene, the strange aspect of nature, the dis- 
solution of the elements, and the last trump, will 
have no other effect than to cause the reflections 
of the sinner to return with a more overwhelm- 
ing tide on his own character, his sentence, his 
unchanging destiny ; and, amid the innumerable 
millions who surround him, he will mourn apart. 
It is thus the Christian minister should endeavour 
to prepare the tribunal of conscience, and turn 
the eyes of every one of his hearers on himself. 
" To men of different casts and complexions, 
it is obvious, a corresponding difference in the 
selection of topics, and the method of appeal, is 
requisite. Some are only capable of digesting 
the first principles of religion, on whom it is ne= 



330 ROBERT HALL. 

cessary often to inculcate the same lessons with 
the reiteration of parental solicitude : there are 
others of a wider grasp of comprehension, who 
must be indulged with an ampler variety, and to 
whom views of religion less obvious, less obtru- 
sive, and demanding a more vigorous exercise of 
the understanding, are peculiarly adapted. Some 
are accustomed to contemplate every subject in a 
light so cool and argumentative, that they are 
not easily impressed with any thing which is not 
presented in the garb of reasoning; nor apt, 
though firm believers in revelation, to be strong- 
ly moved by naked assertions even from that 
quarter. There are others of a softer tempera- 
ment, who are more easily won by tender strokes 
of pathos. Minds of an obdurate make, and 
which have been rendered callous by long habits 
of vice, must be appalled and subdued by the 
terrors of the Lord; while others are capable of 
being ' drawn with the cords of love, and with 
the bands of a man. Some we must save with 
fear, plucking them out of the fire ; on others we 
must have compassion, making a difference.' You 
will recollect that He who spake as never man 
spake, mild, gentle, insinuating in his addresses 
to the multitude, reserved the thunder of his de- 
nunciations for sanctimonious hypocrites. In 
this part of our ministerial function, we shall do 
well to imitate St. Paul, who became, all things 
to all men, that he might win some ; combining, 



ADDRESSES OFTEN TOO PERSONAL. 331 

in his efforts for the salvation of souls, the ut- 
most simplicity of intention, with the utmost ver- 
satility of address. 

" May I be permitted to remark, though it 
seem a digression, that in the mode of conduct- 
ing our public ministrations, we are, perhaps, 
too formal and mechanical ; that in the distribu- 
tion of the matter of our sermons, we indulge 
too little variety, and exposing our plan in all its 
parts, abate the edge of curiosity, by enabling the 
hearer to anticipate what we intend to advance. 
Why should that force which surprise gives to 
every emotion, derived from just and affecting 
sentiments, be banished from the pulpit, when it 
is found of such moment in every other kind of 
public address ? I cannot but imagine the first 
preachers of the gospel appeared before their 
audience with a more free and unfettered air, 
than is consistent with the narrow trammels to 
which in these latter ages, discourses from the 
pulpit are confined. The sublime emotions with 
which they were fraught, would have rendered 
them impatient of such restrictions ; nor could 
they suffer the impetuous stream of argument, 
expostulation, and pathos, to be weakened, by 
diverting it into the artificial reservoirs, prepared 
in the heads and particulars of a modern sermon. 
Method, we are aware, is an essential ingredient 
in every discourse designed for the instruction of 
mankind, but it ought never to force itself on 



332 ROBERT HALL. 

the attention as an object apart ; never appear to 
be an end, instead of an instrument ; or beget 
a suspicion of the sentiments being introduced 
for the sake of the method, not the method for 
the sentiments. Let the experiment be tried on 
some of the best specimens of ancient eloquence ; 
let an oration of Cicero or Demosthenes be 
stretched upon a Procrustes' bed of this sort, and 
if I am not greatly mistaken, the flame and enthu- 
siasm which have excited admiration in all ages, 
will instantly evaporate : yet no one perceives a 
want of method in these immortal compositions, 
nor can any thing be conceived more remote 
from incoherent rhapsody. 

" To return to the subject : whatever the mode 
of address, or whatever the choice of topics, there 
are two qualities inseparable from religious in- 
struction ; these are seriousness and affection. In 
the most awful denunciations of the divine dis- 
pleasure, an air of unaffected tenderness should 
be preserved, that while with unsparing fidelity 
we declare the whole counsel of God, it may ap- 
pear we are actuated by a genuine spirit of com- 
passion. A hard and unfeeling manner of de- 
nouncing the threatenings of the word of God, 
is not only barbarous and inhuman, but calculat- 
ed, by inspiring disgust, to rob them of all their 
efficacy. If the awful part of our message, which 
may be styled the burden of the Lord, ever fall 
with due weight on our hearers, it will be when 



SERIOUSNESS AND AFFECTION. 333 

it is delivered with a trembling hand and faulter- 
ing lips ; and we may then expect them to rea- 
lize its solemn import, when they perceive that 
we ourselves are ready to sink under it. 6 Of 
whom I have told you before,' said St. Paul, e and 
now tell you weeping, that they are the enemies 
of the cross of Christ.' What force does that 
affecting declaration derive from these tears ! An 
affectionate manner insinuates itself into the heart, 
renders it soft and pliable, and disposes it to im- 
bibe the sentiments and follow the impulse of the 
speaker. Whoever has attended to the effect of 
addresses from the pulpit, must have perceived 
how much of their impression depends upon this 
quality, which gives to sentiments comparatively 
trite, a power over the mind beyond what the 
most striking and original conceptions possess 
without it. 

" Near akin to this, and not inferior in import- 
ance, is the second quality we mentioned, serious- 
ness. It is scarcely necessary to remark, how 
offensive and unnatural is every violation of it in 
a religious discourse, which is, however, of wider 
extent than is generally imagined, including not 
merely jesting, buffoonery, and undisguised levity 
of every sort, but also whatsoever in composi- 
tion or manner, is inconsistent with the supposi- 
tion of the speaker being deeply in earnest; 
such as sparkling ornaments, far-fetched images, 
and that exuberance of flowers which seems evi- 



334 ROBERT HALL. 

dently designed to gratify the fancy, rather than 
to touch the heart. When St. Paul recommends 
to Timothy that 6 sound speech which cannot be 
condemned,' it is probable he refers as much to 
the propriety of the vehicle, as to the purity of 
the instruction. There is, permit me to remind 
you, a sober dignity, both of language and of 
sentiment, suited to the representations of reli- 
gion in all its variety of topics, from which the 
inspired writers never depart, and which it will 
be our wisdom to imitate. In describing the 
pleasures of devotion, or the joys of heaven, there 
is nothing weak, sickly, or effeminate : a chaste 
severity pervades their delineations, and whatever 
they say appears to emanate from a serious mind, 
accustomed to the contemplation of great objects, 
without ever sinking under them from imbecility, 
or attempting to supply a deficiency of interest, 
by puerile exaggerations and feeble ornaments. 
The exquisite propriety of their representations 
is chiefly to be ascribed to their habitual serious- 
ness ; and the latter to their seeing things as they 
are. 

" Having touched on the principal difficulties 
attending the public exercise of the ministry, it 
may be expected something will be said on his 
more private functions. To affirm it to be the 
duty of a pastor to visit his people often, is, per- 
haps, affirming too much ; the more frequently 
he converses with them, however, provided his 

2 



PASTORAL VISITATION. 335 

conversation be properly conducted, the more 
will his person be endeared, and his ministry ac- 
ceptable. The seasonable introduction of reli- 
gious topics is often of such admirable use, that 
there are few qualities more enviable than the 
talent of teaching from house to house : though 
the modern state of manners, I am aware, has 
rendered this branch of the pastoral office much 
more difficult than in former times. In a coun- 
try village, where there is more simplicity, less 
dissipation, and less hurry of business than in 
large towns, prudent exertions in this kind may 
be considered as eminently proper and beneficial. 
The extent to which they should be carried must 
be determined by circumstances, without-attempt- 
ing to prescribe any other rule than this, that the 
conversation of a Christian minister should be 
always such as is adapted to strengthen, not im- 
pair, the impression of his public instructions. 
Though it is not necessary, nor expedient, for 
him to be always conversing on the subject of re- 
ligion, his conversation should invariably have a 
religious tendency : that whatever excursions he 
indulges, the return to serious topics may be 
easy and natural. The whole caste of his char- 
acter should be such as is adapted to give weight 
to the exercise of his ministerial functions. On 
the peculiar force with which the obligations of 
virtue attach to a Christian teacher, the purity 
and correctness of your own conduct, while it 



336 ROBERT HALL. 

would embolden me to speak with the greater 
freedom, make it less necessary for me to insist. 
You are aware that moral delinquency in him, 
produces a sensation as when an armour-bearer 
fainteth ; that he can neither stand nor fall by 
himself; and that it is impossible for him to de- 
viate essentially from the path of rectitude, with- 
out incurring the guilt and infamy of Jeroboam, 
who is never mentioned but to be stigmatized as 
he c who taught Israel to sin.' ' Be thou an en- 
sample to the flock in faith, in purity, in conver- 
sation, in doctrine, in charity.' Instead of sa- 
tisfying ourselves in the acquisition of virtue with 
the attainments of a learner, we must aspire to 
the perfection of a master ; and give to our con- 
duct the correctness of a pattern. We are called 
to such a conquest over the world, and such an 
exhibition of the spirit of Christ, as shall not 
merely exempt us from censure, but excite to 
emulation, < Ye are the salt of the earth, ye are the 
light of the world,' said our Saviour to his disciples, 
whom he was about to send forth in the character 
of public teachers. As persons to whom the con- 
duct of souls is committed, we cannot make a 
wrong step without endangering the interests of 
others ; so that if we neglect to take our sound- 
ings, and inspect our chart, ours is the miscon- 
duct of the pilot, who is denied the privilege 
of perishing alone. The immoral conduct of a 
Christian minister is little less than a public tri- 



PERSONAL WATCHFULNESS. 337 

umph over the religion he inculcates : and when 
we recollect the frailty of our nature, the snares 
to which we are exposed, and the wiles of our 
adversary, who will proportion his efforts to the 
advantages resulting from his success, we must 
be aware how much the necessity of maintaining 
an exemplary conduct adds to the difficulty of 
the ministerial function. 

" When we inculcate, with so much earnest- 
ness, an attention to the mind of Christ, as ex- 
hibited in the scriptures, let us not be under- 
stood to exclude his precepts, or to countenance* 
for a moment, the too frequent neglect of Chris- 
tian morality. While you delight in displaying 
the riches of divine grace, conspicuous in the 
work of redemption, as the grand motive to love 
and trust in the Redeemer, you will not forget 
frequently to admonish your hearers, that he on- 
ly fi loveth him who keepeth his sayings ;' the il- 
lustration of which, in their bearings upon the 
different relations and circumstances of life, will 
form, if you follow the apostolic example, a most 
important branch of your ministry. Not content 
with committing the obligation of morality to the 
arbitration of feeling, much less with faintly hint- 
ing at it, as an obvious inference from orthodox 
doctrine, you will illustrate its principles with an 
energy, a copiousness, a fulness of detail, pro- 
portioned to its acknowledged importance. You 
will not be silent on the precepts, from an ap- 
z 



338 ROBERT HALL. 

prehension of infringing on the freedom of the 
gospel, nor sink the character of the legislator 
in that of the Saviour of the church. A mora- 
lity, more elevated and pure than is to be met 
with in the pages of Seneca or Epictetus, will 
breathe through your sermons, founded on a 
basis, which every understanding can compre- 
hend, and enforced by sanctions, which nothing 
but the utmost stupidity can despise — a morality 
of which the love of God, and a devoted attach- 
ment to the Redeemer, are the plastic soul, which, 
pervading every limb, and expressing itself in 
every lineament of the new creature, gives it a 
beauty all its own. As it is the genuine fruit of 
just and affecting views of divine truth, you will 
never sever it from its parent stock, nor indulge 
the fruitless hope of leading men to holiness, 
without strongly imbuing them with the spirit of 
the gospel. Truth and holiness are, in the 
Christian system, so intimately allied, that the 
warm and faithful inculcation of the one, lays 
the only foundation for the other. For the illus- 
tration of particular branches of morals, we may 
consult Pagan writers on ethics with advantage; 
but in search of principles, it is at our peril that 
we desert the school of Christ: since we are 
complete in him, and all the moral excellence to 
which we can aspire is but Christianity embodied; 
or, if we may be allowed to change the figure, 
the impress of the gospel upon the heart. 



DEPENDENCE ON DIVINE AID. 339 

" Let me earnestly intreat you, by keeping- 
close to the fountain of grace, to secure a large 
measure of its influence in your private studies, 
and in your public performances, remember your 
absolute dependence on superior aid; let your 
conviction of this dependence become so deep 
and practical, as to prevent your attempting any 
thing in your own strength, after the example of 
St. Paul, who, when he had occasion to advert 
to his labours in the gospel, checks himself by 
adding, with ineffable modesty, < yet not I, but 
the grace of God that was with me.' From that 
vivid perception of truth, that full assurance of 
faith, which is its inseparable attendant, you will 
derive unspeakable advantage in addressing your 
hearers ; a seriousness, tenderness, and majesty, 
will pervade your discourses, beyond what the 
greatest, unassisted talent can command. In the 
choice of your subjects, it will lead you to what 
is most solid and useful, while it enables you 
to handle them in a manner the most efficacious 
and impressive. Possessed of this celestial unc- 
tion, you will not be under the temptation of ne- 
glecting a plain gospel, in quest of amusing spe- 
culations or unprofitable novelties : the most or- 
dinary topics will open themselves with a fresh- 
ness and interest, as though you had never con- 
sidered them before ; and the things of the Spirit 
will display their inexhaustible variety and depth. 
You will pierce the invisible world ; you will look, 



340 ROBERT HALL. 

so to speak, into eternity, and present the essence 
and core of religion, while too many preachers, 
for want of spiritual discernment, rest satisfied 
with the surface and the shell. It will not allow 
us to throw one grain of incense on the altar of 
vanity ; it will make us forget ourselves so com- 
pletely, as to convince our hearers we do so; 
and displacing every thing else from the atten- 
tion, leave nothing to be felt, or thought of, but 
the majesty of truth, and the realities of eternity. 

" In proportion to the degree in which you 
possess this sacred influence, will be the earnest- 
ness with which you implore it in behalf of your 
hearers. Often ' will you bow the knee to the 
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that 
he will grant unto them the Spirit of wisdom and 
revelation in the knowledge of him, the eyes of 
their understanding being enlightened, that they 
may know what is the hope of their calling, and 
what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance 
among them that believe.' 

" Here alone is certainty and durability ; for, 
however highly we may esteem the arts and 
sciences, which polish our species and promote 
the welfare of society ; whatever reverence we 
may feel, and ought to feel, for those laws and 
institutions whence it derives the security neces- 
sary for enabling it to enlarge its resources and 
develop its energies, we cannot forget that 
these are but the embellishments of a scene we 



THE VANITY OF PRESENT THINGS. 341 

must shortly quit, — the decorations of a theatre 
from which the eager spectators and applauded 
actors must soon retire. ' The end of all things 
is at hand.' Vanity is inscribed on every earth- 
ly pursuit, on all sublunary labour ; its materials, 
its instruments, and its objects, will alike perish. 
An incurable taint of mortality has seized upon, 
and will consume them ere long. The acquisi- 
tions derived from religion, the graces of a reno- 
vated mind, are alone permanent. This is the 
mystic enclosure, rescued from the empire of 
change and death ; this the field which the Lord 
has blessed : and this word of the kingdom, the 
seed which alone produces immortal fruit, the 
very bread of life, with which, under a higher 
economy, the Lamb in the midst of the throne, 
will feed his flock and replenish his elect, through 
eternal ages. How high and awful a function is 
that which proposes to establish in the soul an 
interior dominion — to illuminate its powers by a 
celestial light — and introduce it to an intimate, 
ineffable, and unchanging alliance with the Fa- 
ther of Spirits ! What an honour to be employ- 
ed as the instrument of conducting that mysteri- 
ous process by which men are born of God ; to 
expel from the heart the venom of the old ser- 
pent ; to purge the conscience from invisible 
stains of guilt; to release the passions from the 
bondage of corruption, and invite them to soar 
aloft into the regions of uncreated light and beau- 



342 ROBERT HALL. 

ty ; ' to say to the prisoners, Go forth ; to them 
that are in darkness, Shew yourselves !' These 
are the fruits which arise from the successful dis- 
charge of the Christian ministry : these the ef- 
fects of the gospel, wherever it becomes the 
power of God unto salvation : and the interests 
which they create, the joy which they diffuse, are 
felt in other worlds. 

" One consideration arising from the view 
we have taken of the ministerial office, respects 
the advantages possessed by the Christian mi- 
nister for the cultivation of personal piety. — 
6 Blessed is the man,' said the royal Psalmist, 
* whom thou choosest, and causest to approach 
unto thee: blessed are they who dwell in thy 
house, they will be still praising thee.' If he 
was so strongly impressed with a conviction of 
the high privilege annexed to the priesthood, by 
virtue of its being allowed a nearer approach to 
God, in the services of the sanctuary, the situa- 
tion of a Christian minister is not less distinguish- 
ed, nor less desirable. It is the only one in which 
our general calling as Christians, and our parti- 
cular calling as men, perfectly coincide. In a 
life occupied in actions that terminate in the pre- 
sent moment, and in cares and pursuits extreme- 
ly disproportionate to the dignity of our nature, 
but rendered necessary by the imperfection of 
our state, it is but little of their time that the 
greater part of mankind can devote to the direct 
and immediate pursuit of their eternal interests. 



PERSONAL BENEFIT FROM THE MINISTRY. 343 

A few remnants, snatched from the business of 
life, is all that most can bestow. In our profes- 
sion, the full force and vigour of the mind may 
be exerted on that which will employ it for ever; 
on religion, the final centre of repose ; the goal 
to which all things tend, which gives to time all 
its importance, to eternity all its glory; apart 
from which man is a shadow, his very existence 
a riddle, and the stupendous scenes which sur- 
round him, as incoherent and unmeaning as the 
leaves which the Sybil scattered in the wind. Our 
inaptitude to be affected in any measure propor- 
tioned to the intrinsic value of the interest in 
which we are concerned, and the objects with 
which we are conversant, is partly to be ascribed 
to the corruption of nature, partly to the limitation 
of our faculties. As far as this disproportion is 
capable of being corrected, the pursuits connect- 
ed with our office are unquestionably best adapt- 
ed to that purpose, by closely fixing the attention 
on objects which can never be contemned, but in 
consequence of being forgotten; nor ever sur- 
veyed with attention, without filling the whole 
sphere of vision. Though the scene of our la- 
bour is on earth, the things to which it relates 
subsist in eternity. We can give no account of 
our office, much less discharge any branch of it 
with propriety and effect, without adverting to a 
future state of being ; while in a happy exemp- 
tion from the tumultuous cares of life, our only 
concern with mankind, as far as it respects our 



344 ROBERT HALL. 

official character, is to promote their everlasting 
welfare; our only business on earth, the very 
same that employs those exalted spirits, who are 
sent forth on embassies of mercy, ' to minister 
to them who shall be heirs of salvation.' Our 
duties and pursuits are distinguished from all 
others by their immediate relation to the ultimate 
end of human existence ; so that while secular 
employments can be rendered innocent only by 
an extreme care to avoid the pollutions which 
they are so liable to contract, the ministerial 
functions bear an indelible impress of sanctity. 
How much of heaven is naturally connected with 
an office whose sole purpose is to conduct man 
thither ! and what a superiority to the love of 
the world may be expected from men who are 
appointed to publish that dispensation which re- 
veals its dangers, detects its vanity, rebukes its 
disorders, and foretells its destruction ! 

" Men are ruined in their eternal interests by 
living as though they were their own, and ne- 
glecting to realize the certainty of a future ac- 
count. But it must surely require no small ef- 
fort to divert our attention from this truth, who 
have not only the same interest in it with others, 
but in consequence of the care of souls, possess a 
responsibility of a distinct and awful character; 
since not one of those to whom that care extends, 
can fall short of salvation through our neglect or 
default, but * his blood will be required at our 
hands. 1 " 



APPENDIX. 



1 he following Extracts from Observations suggested 
to the attention of a minister at his ordination, are 
quite in accordance with the general design of this vo- 
lume, and, on this account, they are inserted in the 
conclusion of it. 

■ If I can recall to your recollection 

and my own, as well as that of our brethren in the mi- 
nistry who are present, some considerations calculated 
to excite us all to increased zeal and activity in the ser- 
vice of our divine master, our meeting on this interest- 
ing occasion will not be in vain. 

First, then, let all of us who are engaged in this 
work, recollect the great importance of keeping our 
eye steadily fixed on the state of our own souls, and of 
seeing that they be in a state of spiritual prosperity be- 
fore God. I trust we all have the testimony of our con- 
sciences that we do indeed believe those great truths we 
preach to others. But it ought to be the object of our 
incessant solicitude, not only to believe them in gene- 
ral, but deeply to feel them, and to live under their 
lively experimental and practical influence. It will very 
generally be found, that in proportion as we discover, in 
our conduct, the influence of the truths we preach, will 



346 APPENDIX. 

we be disposed to press them with earnestness and pun- 
gency on the hearts and consciences of our hearers ; and 
it is when thus addressed that, through the divine influ- 
ence, we can look for much success. Those who have 
been honoured with extensive usefulness in the Christ- 
ian church., have usually been distinguished by that pe- 
culiar earnestness of address which arises from powerful 
realizing views of the great things of eternity. I may 
here refer, as an illustration of this remark, to that emi- 
nent servant of God, the late George Whitejield. He 
lived, indeed, before our period, but we have heard from 
those who were well acquainted with him, and often sat 
under his ministry, that, in addition to his natural elo- 
quence, (which was unquestionably great,) there was 
such a lively impression of eternal things manifestly on 
his own soul, as deeply affected the minds of his hear- 
ers. He spoke as one who had the future world, amidst 
all its dread solemnities, immediately in his eye. 

Again, In our general preaching, it is of much im- 
portance to select the most useful topics, by which I 
mean those that refer to the great fundamental doc- 
trines of Christianity. You will not suppose that this 
remark implies that we should keep back any part of 
the counsel of God. No; we are bound to inquire 
what that counsel is, and, so far as we discover it, to 
make it known. But whatever attention may be occa- 
sionally paid to other topics, when a promiscuous mass 
are assembled before us on the Lord's day, we conceive 
it of great moment to dwell on such essential truths as 
the depravity of man — the deceitfulness of the heart — 
the way of being reconciled to God — the necessity of the 
renewing efficacy of the spirit of God — of a life of holi- 
ness, and of being prepared for that eternal world that 



APPENDIX. 347 

lies before us. One manifest advantage of giving a dis- 
tinguished prominence to such subjects is, that, to the 
careless part of the audience, (and we should in gene- 
ral calculate on many of our hearers being of this de- 
scription,) these are topics which are most immediately 
and vitally interesting. But may I not add, that they 
are also most edifying to Christians themselves ? Yes ; 
they need to be reminded of those truths which they 
already know. And suppose one who belongs to a diffe- 
rent denomination of professing Christians, and who is 
thus, perhaps, prejudiced against you, should come to 
hear you, by dwelling on such truths, you silence his 
criticisms, and disarm him of his prejudices. He is for 
the time forced to forget them. If his soul is affected 
with impressive views of the evil of sin ; if such an ex- 
hibition is presented to him of the deceitfulness of the 
heart as inspires him with greater watchfulness ; if his 
spirit is refreshed with an animating representation of 
the Saviour's love, he will retire from the house of God 
impressed and edified, and be constrained to say, — 
" Well, after all this is the right way of preaching. This 
is the preaching which I am convinced is fitted to do 
good." I should not envy the tone of mind of that hear- 
er who could be employed in reflecting on the particular 
class to which the preacher belonged, when he heard 
the great fundamental truths of Christianity faithful- 
ly expounded and affectionately enforced. And I 
should consider that man as having most effectual- 
ly attained the end of preaching, who constrained his 
hearer to forget every thing else except the way in 
which he was personally affected by the great and inte- 
resting truths that were brought before him. That 
preacher is most successful by whose labours the hearer, 



34,8 APPENDIX. 

when he retires from the house of God, finds that he 
has too much to do at home — too much to do within-— 
too much to do in his closet, to think of any thing else. 
That preacher certainly attains most effectually the end 
of preaching, who most completely succeeds in conceal- 
ing himself behind that blaze of divine truth which he 
pours on an aroused and attentive auditory. 

It is unquestionably our duty to place divine truth 
in as powerful a light as possible ; in short, to preach as 
well as we can. I mention this, because if a man has 
such a talent for public speaking as enables him to go 
through his work decently and respectably without 
much preparation, he is under a strong temptation to 
trust to it, and thus to state divine truth in a much less 
impressive manner than by proper study and attention 
he is capable of doing. Let us guard against this temp- 
tation. Let us recollect that there is only a limited 
number of opportunities we shall have of calling the at- 
tention of our hearers to the momentous concerns of 
eternity. The hour is already fixed in the councils of 
heaven when every one of us shall deliver his last ser- 
mon, and when his opportunities of usefulness on earth 
will be for ever over. Let us improve them to the ut- 
most then while they continue. If I could do more to 
promote the spiritual good of my hearers and omit it, 
to me it is sin. Let none say this is laying inordinate 
stress on means, and not looking sufficiently to the di- 
vine blessing. Far from it. We all admit that God 
works by means ; and hence we should use them. But 
if we use them at all, then we should certainly employ 
those most fitted to attain the end. 

Need I add we must preach by our lives ? A single 
hint here is sufficient. The manifest truth as well as 



APPENDIX. 349 

importance of this remark is such as needs no confirma- 
tion,, and as little requires any lengthened illustration. 
We have all seen how little attention is excited by the 
most powerful appeal of a preacher,, if his conduct shows 
that he is not living under the practical influence of the 
truth he proclaims, while nothing is more calculated 
than a steady and consistent character to secure a serious 
attention to those doctrines and admonitions which he 
addresses to the understandings and consciences of his 
brethren. " 

The apostle speaks of teaching publicly and from 
house to house. I cannot but consider this latter mode 
of promoting the influence of divine truth a most valu- 
able addition to the former. It has even some advan- 
tages peculiar to itself. 1 . You fix the attention of those 
you address more completely by the smallness of the 
number. What you say to the different members of a 
family at their own fireside, is much more likely to be 
attended to than what they hear only as a part of a nu- 
merous congregation. But, 2. It has also more the ap- 
pearance of an expression of personal friendship. We 
all know how apt men are to say of our public preach- 
ing, that it is our business, our professional employ- 
ment ; that it is what we must do, as we are paid for 
it. But kindly visiting the members of our congre- 
gations, where it will be acceptable, in their respec- 
tive families, from its not being so direct a part of our 
public duty, assumes more the aspect of personal regard. 
This practice also affords us an opportunity of inquiring 
into the circumstances of a family, and how far the 
members of it are discharging the duties of the situ- 
ations they respectively occupy. Visiting a family, for 
example, will enable us to discover how far parents are 



350 APPENDIX. 

in the habit of teaching their children, which, if we 
were merely accustomed to address them in public, we 
could never discover. 

This I should be disposed to follow up with personal 
conversation, so far as it is practicable, with all your 
regular hearers. I feel that I have a certain con- 
nexion with all who statedly sit under my ministry. 
They, by this act, so far show that they consider me 
capable of giving them instruction, while they are 
willing to come and receive it from me. I am bound 
then to do them all the good in my power. By a 
personal conversation you may learn where a difficulty 
presses them, and thus be able to remove it ; or you 
may discover that part of divine truth of which they 
are most ignorant, and there communicate farther in- 
struction, or you may find out where you yourself fail, 
in your public discourses, in making your meaning fully 
known, and thus be led to speak with greater perspi- 
cuity. Besides, I know nothing more calculated to 
impress the mind than a solemn and affecting admoni- 
tion, given by a minister to a hearer, in private, serious- 
ly to consider the truths he is in the habit of hearing 
from the pulpit. 

I have been so much impressed of late with the im- 
portance of this method of promoting the spiritual good 
of our hearers, that I should feel that I omitted an import- 
ant duty this day, if I did not very particularly recom- 
mend it to your attention. It is well known that when 
men hear a discourse in public they are apt to escape in 
the crowd ; and whatever earnestness you discover, if 
what you say is addressed to hundreds besides them- 
selves, it is more easy to evade it than if it were spok- 
en to them alone. Such is human nature, and every 



APPENDIX. 351 

thing connected with human nature ought to be care- 
fully studied,, if we would be faithful and successful 
ministers of Jesus Christ. 

Here let me call upon you to judge for yourself. Sup- 
pose,, when you were young, the minister you were ac- 
customed to hear had requested you to call upon him, 
and when you were alone with him in his chamber, that 
he pointedly and affectionately reminded you of the ne- 
cessity of laying to heart without delay the things that 
belong to your eternal peace — are you not fully convin- 
ced that such an address would have been far better 
recollected, and much more likely to impress your mind 
than many sermons ? Now, e( as in water face answer- 
eth to face, so the heart of man to man." It is a fair 
principle of calculation, that what was likely to im- 
press yourself is not less likely to impress others. Most 
of men need something out of the common beaten 
track to rouse them from that melancholy apathy, in 
reference to eternal things, under which they labour ; 
and it is proper to resort to every legitimate means by 
which this may be effected. 

This method of usefulness which I am now recom- 
mending, was very extensively employed by that emi- 
nent and very successful minister of Christ, Richard 
Baxter* When he was in affliction particularly, (as he 
often was) he used to call upon his people to visit him in 
his chamber, and frequently addressed them with an ur- 
gency which they could not resist. It is remarked, too, 
in the life of Joseph Alleine, that after visiting for some 
time in a family, he used to ask the younger branches 
of it in particular to converse with him alone, before he 
left it, and seldom did they leave him with dry eyes, with 
so much earnestness and affection did he entreat them 



352 APPENDIX. 

to flee from the wrath to come, and lay hold on eternal 
life. 

I have only to add, that it is but of late I have had 
recourse to this method of requesting those who usu- 
ally sit under my ministry to call upon me individual- 
ly, and from what I have seen of the attention which a 
direct personal address is calculated to excite, I deeply 
regret that I did not adopt it sooner. If I had done 
so, I think I might fairly have calculated on a much 
higher measure of usefulness in all human probability 
attending my ministry. Accept then of a hint sug- 
gested by some observation and experience ; and I trust, 
my dear brother, that you will be able to testify to others, 
from a far more enlarged experience than I have had, 
the very great utility of the method I now mention. 

Before leaving this topic, I must just add, that this 
mode of usefulness is particularly calculated to awaken 
the attention of the young. The mind is, at this period 
of life, most susceptible, and it is peculiarly so of any 
expression of kindness. They present then a fine field of 
usefulness. Study assiduously to cultivate it. Fre- 
quently converse with them. Endeavour to engage their 
affection and confidence. Inquire into the progress they 
are making in knowledge. Mark the dawn of religious 
feelings in their minds. Do what you can to cherish 
these, and thus to strengthen the hands of parents in 
that most important of all employments, training up 
their children in the nurture and admonition of the 
Lord. And let us at all times recollect of what in- 
calculable importance it is both to themselves and to 
the cause of God in the world, that the minds of the 
youthful part of our congregations be deeply impressed 
with divine truth. They are soon to occupy the place 

1 



APPENDIX. 353 

of the present generation, and to their exertions we 
must look for the vigorous prosecution of all those 
schemes which have of late been formed to diffuse the 
knowledge of pure religion in the age that is to follow. 
When we recollect the apostle's description of the 
business of those who are placed in the pastoral office^ 
is there not much reason to fear that the important 
duties connected with it are but very imperfectly un- 
derstood, even by the most careful and conscientious 
among us ? They are represented as watching for souls 
as they that must give an account. What a solemn engage- 
ment ! What a high responsibility ! How justly may we 
say, who is sufficient for these things ! Souls are com- 
mitted to our trust. They are in a world of danger. 
We are called with all possible fidelity to watch over 
them — to mark that danger — to sound the signal of 
alarm — to use every exertion to preserve them unhurt 
amidst the snares with which they are surrounded. 
Does not this require a minute acquaintance with the 
character, and temper, and circumstances of those under 
our pastoral care ? One is in a situation, perhaps, ex- 
posed to imminent peril. This may arise from his 
calling in life, especially when taken in connexion with 
the particular cast of his mind. He thus needs more 
careful inspection than another. Let this inspection be 
given. One man is soft and pliable in his natural tem- 
per, another is rugged and stubborn — these are, of 
course, exposed to different kinds of evil. Is it not of 
importance that these peculiarities of temper be studied 
and known, that we may wisely and successfully adapt 
our admonitions to each ? What a knowledge of the hu- 
man character ! What an acquaintance with the outward 
circumstances of our flocks ! What an insight into the 
2a 



354 APPENDIX. 

deceitfulness of the heart ! — into all its secret move- 
ments — all its doublings and windings — does successful 
pastoral watchfulness require ? We are often in danger 
of resting satisfied, if on good evidence we receive a 
person as a member of the Christian church. But we 
should recollect that there is a new class of duties to 
such a person, on which we only then enter. A new rela- 
tion is formed. This requires on our part incessant 
watchfulness, and this must continue as long as our pas- 
toral relation to that individual subsists. 

Here I cannot omit quoting one striking example of 
pastoral fidelity. It is mentioned in the Life of the 
Rev. Mr. Grimshaw, minister of Haworth, in Yorkshire, 
by the Rev. John Newton. I do not know where we 
can meet with a finer, or what I would call a more en- 
viable example of great zeal for general usefulness, as 
well as true pastoral assiduity and watchfulness, than 
here. I shall give you Mr. Newton's own words. — " The 
last time I was with him, as we were standing together 
upon a hill near Haworth, and surveying the romantic 
prospect around us, he expressed himself to the follow- 
ing purport, and I believe I nearly retain his very words, 
for they made a deep impression upon me while he 
spoke. ' When I first came into this country, if I had 
gone half a day's journey on horseback towards the east, 
west, north, and south, I could not meet with or hear 
of one truly serious person — and now, through the bless- 
ing of God upon the poor services of the most unworthy 
of his ministers, besides a considerable number whom I 
have seen or known to have departed this life like Si- 
meon, rejoicing in the Lord's salvation ; and besides five 
dissenting churches or congregations, of which the mi- 
nisters, and nearly every one of the members were first 
awakened under my ministry ; I have still at my sacra- 



APPENDIX. 355 

ments, according to the weather, from three hundred to 
five hundred communicants, of the far greater part of 
whom, so far as man who Cannot see the heart (and can 
therefore only determine by appearances, profession, and 
conduct) may judge, I can give almost as particular an 
account, as I can of myself. I know the state of their 
progress in religion. By my frequent visits and con- 
verse with them, I am acquainted with their several 
temptations, trials, and exercises, both personal and do- 
mestic, both spiritual and temporal, almost as intimate- 
ly as if I had lived in their families/ A stranger who 
had stood upon the same spot, from whence he could 
see little but barren mountains and moors, would scarce- 
ly think this declaration credible. But I knew the man 
well, and of all the men I ever knew, I can think of no 
one who was less to be suspected of boasting than Mr. 
Grimshaw.'' — Newton's Life of Grimshaw. Pp. 85, 87. 

What Christian minister would not rather wish at a 
dying hour to have the testimony of his conscience, that 
he had thus watched for the souls of his flock, than that 
he had been distinguished as the first historian, philo- 
sopher, or even preacher of his day ? We may reasona- 
bly look for much prosperity to the churches of Christ, 
when a large supply of such faithful pastors is to be 
found among them. — May the Lord of the vineyard 
send forth many such labourers into his vineyard ! 

While in this world of imperfection Christians are 
divided into various denominations, I trust you will ever 
guard against that spirit which would prevent you from 
cordially rejoicing in all the good that is done by others, 
or dispose you to look with a jaundiced eye on the ex- 
cellencies that appear in their characters. We shall all 
find much to esteem, to love, and to imitate in many, 



356 APPENDIX. 

from whom, on some subjects, we are constrained to dif- 
fer. But never let any difference, on comparatively minor 
points, prevent us from contemplating with complacency 
and delight, the image of our Divine Master wherever 
it is to be found. 

In the discharge of our duty it is of much importance 
that we should live superior to the opinion of the world, 
and that we should not be surprised if our conduct and 
motives are frequently misrepresented. Some, indeed, 
would view it as a deplorable mark of character to be 
indifferent to public opinion, and we doubt not that a 
regard to that opinion where men are not influenced by 
a higher rule, has frequently a most beneficial effect. It 
may deter from crimes, which, but for the influence of 
such a sentiment, many would commit. But a Christian 
has a higher rule. He is in all things to walk so as 
to please God. In doing so he ever will act in such a 
way that the world ought to approve ; — and while he 
follows such a rule, if they do not, whether it be right 
to please men or God, judge you. It is indeed a small 
matter to be judged of man's judgment. But what a 
rich source of solid comfort, and of the purest enjoyment 
is it, to have the testimony of our consciences, that in 
simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, 
we have our conversation in the world. 

While I have referred to the arduous nature of the 
work in which you are engaged, permit me, in the con- 
clusion, just to hint at some sources of encouragement. 
1. Let us recollect the gracious promise of divine aid. 
We are not sent a warfare on our own charges ; if we 
are faithful as the servants of the best of masters, all the 
grace we need he has promised to bestow. What a de- 
lightful thought, that the throne of mercy is eve'r open 



APPENDIX. 357 

to us, that we are at all times invited to come for direc- 
tion amidst all our difficulties for support under every 
trial, for mercy to pardon, and grace to help us in every 
time of need. Again, though you may not have all the 
success you desire in preaching the gospel in this place, 
a certain measure of success you may confidently expect, 
" my word shall not return unto me void, but shall pros- 
per in the thing whereto I sent it." Think then for 
your encouragement, what an immensely important ob- 
ject is accomplished, if but one soul is brought to the Sa- 
viour. An object is in this case attained infinitely more 
valuable than the wealth of worlds. But 1 trust, through 
the blessing of the eternal God, you shall have not one 
only, but many for your crown of rejoicing at the resur- 
rection of the just. 

You are now, my brother, in the prime of life, and 
enjoy the full vigour of health, see that you improve 
this blessing for promoting the glory of God, and the 
eternal welfare of souls. I can recollect the time when 
I enjoyed similar strength for labour, and at that pe- 
riod I could no more have formed any just idea of what 
is implied in the feebleness and diminished capacity of 
exertion incident to more advanced age, than I could of 
the existence of the separate state. This state of dimi- 
nished capability for labour can only be understood from 
personal experience ; but you cannot doubt, that what- 
ever is implied in it, if your life is continued, such a state 
must come, and then you will feel a regret, of which, at 
present, you can form no adequate conception, that the 
days of health and vigour were not more fully devoted to 
God. Learn in time from the experience of others. 
Double your diligence while the capacity of vigorous and 
persevering exertion continues. Work the machine to 



358 APPENDIX. 

the full stretch of its power, that if you are spared to de- 
scend into the vale of years, you may not have occasion 
for the overwhelming reflection, that much has been left 
undone which you might have done ; and that through 
your remissness, indolence, or want of watchfulness, 
many opportunities of promoting the glory of God and 
the good of souls, have been allowed to pass unimprov- 
ed, which can never return. 

In fine, — Let all of us who are engaged in the im- 
portant work of preaching the gospel, study to keep 
our eye steadily fixed on the great day of account : if so, 
what manner of persons will we be in all holy conver- 
sation and godliness ? Let us strive to occupy with fi- 
delity every talent of usefulness with which we are in- 
trusted; especially let us study to employ time to the 
very best advantage as it passes over our heads. Oh ! 
how many opportunities of doing good do we let slip, 
which greater watchfulness would lead us to improve ! 
I have often thought if we were laid for months on the 
bed of sickness, unable to engage in any exertion of ac- 
tive usefulness, how would we look back with regret to 
the very imperfect use we had made of the blessing 
of health while it was enjoyed. Let us prize health as 
a means of usefulness — let us work while it is called 
to-day — let us lay aside every weight and the sin that 
doth more easily beset us, and as the racer increases his 
speed, the nearer he approaches the goal, let every Christ- 
ian, especially every Christian minister, double his dili- 
gence the nearer he approaches the time when he must 
give an account of his stewardship. Let us labour with 
a constantly increasing zeal, animated by the hope that 
our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord, 



finis. 



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